In his response to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s recent State Of the Nation Address (Annual Message), a former Captain of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Jerry K. Kollie, has termed the operations of multi-million dollar concession companies in Liberia as a form of modern slavery.
Captain Kollie said it is heartbreaking and unimaginable that, in this age and time, Liberia is still entertaining and signing concession agreements that offer little or no benefits, safety and protection for Liberian workers, while at the same time, exploiting and polluting communities, ending agriculture dreams, with little or no regard for environmental integrity.
Kollie expressed shock and frustration that after more than seventy years of exploitation and exportation of the country’s minerals and other resources, with little to show, such conditions still exist today, while leaders do little to change the sad story.
“Why should Liberian workers live in poor conditions at these concession sites while their foreign counterparts are treated with dignity and guaranteed the required protection and benefits at the very same places of work?”
He added that as the government celebrates the passage of these major agreements, as announced by President Boakai, he, too, like any well-meaning Liberian, would be happy for whatever benefits that will come from them for the country and people, but Liberians demand more from these concessions because they are taking far more than what they are giving to government and the country.
Kollie noted that Liberia has enjoyed peace for more than 20 years now, and universities and colleges are graduating thousands of young people, as many others continue to acquire quality degrees and other professional trainings from foreign countries, which qualify them to take up key roles at these concession companies in order to boost local income capacity and grow the economy, while ensuring that foreigners do not occupy positions and do jobs that Liberians are qualified and trained to do.
Kollie who is also a former legislative candidate for District #2, Bong County, said he welcomes the creation of the Ministry of Local Government, replacing the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He hailed the 55th Legislature for passing the Act establishing this new or reformed ministry.
He expressed hope that the ideas behind the establishment of this ministry, when implemented properly, will surely decentralize the government and ensure or boost greater participation, and offer a space for the people to participate in the making of decisions that impact their lives.
Kollie also lauded the passage of the Act establishing the National Food Assistance Agency, but warned that the NFAA, like other similar entities such as the Disaster Management Agency, established to particularly help the less fortunate people, especially in time of disasters and other critical needs, must be adequately funded and given the required logistics to operate.
Commenting on foreign relations, Kollie acknowledged that, over the last two years, there has been improvement in the country’s international image, and the the government continues in such direction.
“We see good signs and signals in international recognition and cooperation, but these outside improvements must be translated in the improvement of the lives of our people because, any recognition we get out there that is not reflected in the living conditions of the people is useless,” he asserted.
On peace, security, stability and the rule of law, Captain Kollie maintained that no country develops without security guarantees. Security and stability, he said, are some of the triggers that attract investment and guarantee economic growth, noting that no investors will put their money in an environment that is not secure or stable, or where there’s no rule of law and justice, which are key requirements for economic growth and development.
Touching on agriculture, Kollie emphasized that any nation that cannot feed itself will never develop, adding that as long as Liberians continue to look to other countries to supply food, especially the staple food (RICE), the country will never be truly independent.
“We have the land space and we have the soil to invest in agriculture, empower our farmers and feed our nation, so, the government must stop shifting the responsibility of improving agriculture to donors and international institutions.”
He welcomed the creation and passage of the National Tourism Authority, saying, it will create jobs and enhance economic growth if it is fully funded and made functional, and not left to become another toothless bulldog.
On the controversial 70,000 job debate, Captain Kollie said he does not question the possibility that the government created 70,000 short and medium term jobs in 2025, but his concern is, what kinds of jobs and what are the impacts of those jobs on the people and the economy.
He argued that Liberians need substantive employment that comes with job security and the assurance to make people plan their lives and invest in their children’s future, and not two, three, four or five day jobs.
“We don’t want two months, three months or four months jobs, but rather reliable jobs that will improve the living conditions of our people,” he stressed.