“Ultimately, the government faces a straightforward test, if 70,000 jobs have indeed been created, it should provide the public with credible details showing where those jobs are, how they were counted, and how many Liberians have secured sustainable employment?”
—Cummings.
Government has faced renewed questions over its reported creation of 70,000 jobs.
For that reason, opposition political leader Alexander B. Cummings, has challenged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration to clearly identify where those jobs have been created, and how ordinary Liberians have benefited from them, if any were created.
Cummings, political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) meanwhile, criticized the government performance on employment, and the economy. He argued that many Liberians continue to struggle to find decent, and sustainable work despite the administration’s reported job-creation figures.
“This government have not shown results on job creation, or the economy, they said, they created 70,000 jobs; let them tell us where those jobs are?” Cummings also questioned whether the reported figure reflects permanent employment, temporary opportunities, private-sector jobs, or other forms of economic activity.
His challenge comes amid persistent concerns over unemployment, low wages, limited opportunities for young people, and the rising cost of living.
For many Liberians, the central question is whether government statistics on employment have translated into visible improvements in household incomes, and living conditions.
Cummings also challenged the Boakai administration to demonstrate how its economic policies have created opportunities beyond government institutions, particularly for young people, and citizens seeking employment in the private sector.
The controversy, critics said, has raised an issue of accountability, when a government announces that jobs have been created, the public should be able to determine where those jobs are located, which sectors generated them, how many are permanent, and what mechanisms were used to verify the figures?
Critics of the administration argue that claims of economic progress should be accompanied by transparent data rather than political statements.
They say, the government must provide measurable evidence that employment growth is reaching ordinary citizens, particularly those who remain without stable sources of income.
Public debate over government performance should remain focused on policies, evidence, and accountability rather than personal attacks.
Political leaders, government officials, journalists and citizens should be able to question national policies without being subjected to insults or intimidation.
Public platforms, Cummings said, are intended to inform citizens, and encourage debate about national development, governance, and public policy.
Disagreement with a political leader, lawyer, religious leader, government official, or other public figure, he said, should not become an excuse for personal attacks, especially when the discussion concerns matters affecting the wider population.
“Ultimately, the government faces a straightforward test, if 70,000 jobs have indeed been created, it should provide the public with credible details showing where those jobs are, how they were counted, and how many Liberians have secured sustainable employment?”
According to Cummings, until such information is clearly presented, questions over the job-creation record are likely to remain a major issue in national debate.
