Says the country was in a ‘complete hell and turmoil’ under the erstwhile government of President George Weah.
Jerolinmek Matthew Piah is the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism.
He issued a damning assessment of the state of the nation under the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government, describing the country’s condition during that period as “complete hell and turmoil.”
Piah’s gave the description of the then CDC government on Tuesday, May 20, at the ministry’s regular press briefing in Monrovia.
He accused the CDC-led administration of leaving behind a trail of economic chaos, social hardship, and poor governance.
Mr. Piah spoke on a host of issues ranging from severe fuel shortages and soaring prices to public health concerns and economic mismanagement.
“Bodies were on the streets, the exchange rate was spiraling out of control, prices of 25bkgs bags of rice was rising without limit to the extent that people stood in long lines just to purchase a bag of a gallon of gasoline or fuel oil,” Minister Piah said.
“The country,” he said, “was in total disarray with auditors and others found dead with any trace of possible causes of their deaths.”
Mr. Piah sharply criticized those hoping for the failure of the Unity Party-led administration, including Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe.
He assured opposition politicians that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai remains focused on reversing years of decline and delivering meaningful progress for all Liberians.
“Those who are on their knees praying for this government to fail are wasting their useless time,” Piah declared.
“We are committed to delivering results,” he assured Liberians in every sector of the country.
Piah highlighted early signs of improvement since the Boakai administration took office in January, 3024, including the restoration of steady fuel supply on the market.
He described the removal of long queues at gas stations as a clear indication of the administration’s determination to stabilize the economy and ease public suffering.
He also praised the recent cabinet retreat held at the Executive Mansion, where government officials signed a performance pact, thereby promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency within public institutions.
The retreat, he noted, focused heavily on Domestic Resource Mobilization as a key strategy in advancing the Boakai’s administration “ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development” (AAID).
“This government is united, bold, and determined to reposition the country on a path of growth, shared prosperity, and national dignity,” he told the journalists.
In a separate update, Piah announced that Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti has officially notified Pres. Boakai of the country being on a clear path to securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council.