Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-03-25 00:15:00
The new administration under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is facing challenges with former government officials who are unwilling to return government assets, including essential information tools, upon exiting privileged positions. The latest conflict has arisen with former Liberia News Agency (LINA) Director General Kwame Oldpa Weeks, who has been ordered by Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah to return LINA’s social media access to the Ministry or face legal action.
LINA, as a communication organ of the Ministry of Information, has been at the center of this dispute. Minister Piah accuses Mr. Weeks of retaining control over official communication platforms, such as the LINA Facebook page, despite stepping down from his position. This incident has sparked debates on social media among Liberians, with some denouncing Mr. Weeks’ actions as unlawful and malicious.
President Boakai has taken a firm stance on the issue by establishing an asset recovery and properties retrieval team to address the issue of stolen government assets. Apart from concerns about corruption within the government, reports have surfaced that some officials have taken government furniture and other assets upon leaving their offices.
Mr. Weeks defended his actions by claiming ownership of the Facebook page, stating that the page was created during his tenure as Director General and will be renamed to Miepo MediaCon. He argued that, according to Facebook’s policy, he is the rightful owner of the page and not the Ministry of Information. Minister Piah condemned Weeks’ behavior, labeling it as rebellious and an attempt to undermine the government’s authority over its assets.
Minister Piah issued a stern warning, stating that failure to comply with the directive to return the access would result in legal action. The situation has escalated, with the Ministry of Justice being notified, and legal proceedings are being considered to resolve the matter. President Boakai’s assets recovery team leader, Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, has assured Minister Piah of their readiness to reclaim all government assets, including the LINA Facebook page.
The dispute highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the new administration in reclaiming government assets from former officials. It underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that government resources are not unlawfully retained by individuals no longer in office. President Boakai’s commitment to addressing these issues through the establishment of an asset recovery team demonstrates the government’s determination to uphold transparency and accountability in Liberia.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
