Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah, on behalf of the Government of Liberia, has welcomed criticisms from media institutions and other citizens, but called on critics to also criticize the government with fairness and truth.
According to him, the current government is pleased with the criticisms from the media because it helps the government to be proactive and mindful in every step it intends to take.
“We are good with the strong scrutiny that we are having; in fact, when the government is being scrutinized by the people, it helps the government to be proactive because for every step you would want to take, you look back and say that there are people watching me who will hold us accountable,” Minister Piah asserted.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information press briefing on Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, in Monrovia, the government’s official spokesman added: “So, we like it, keep doing it. The only request to you is do it with truth, fairness, and not with a desire to misinform the public”.
The Minister’s comment comes amid criticism from some media institutions claiming that foreigners are in possession of Liberian diplomatic passports.
Commenting on the issue, Minister Piah further clarified that upon the inception of the current administration, it was reported that the Liberian diplomatic passports were given to the wrong people, adding that with this grave issue, the government took actions by giving a timeframe to former officials of government and other people who were given the diplomatic passports and official passports to return them.
When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided their initial report or update about the inherited passports situation, the MICAT boss revealed that the Ministry recovered at least 61 percent, which the government considered as alarming and needed further action.
Based on the update, according to him, the government contacted its partners to fight the issue with the current administration as a means of restoring the country’s image and diplomatic relations.
He wants critics of the government to allude to these facts, urging them to abort their adventure of smear campaign against the regime.
Source: LINA