The Director of the Executive Protection Service, Sam Gaye, has again come under strong criticism, this time around from Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Chief of Staff to former President George Weah.
Appearing on OK FM morning show, Mr. Nagbe alleged that Mr. Gaye is a- ‘You- Say and I –Say’ Director whom also he claimed lacks the capacity to serve in such strategic position.
According to him, the EPS Director is ‘incompetent and unprofessional’ evidenced of his previous handling of activities especially involving former President Weah and those linked with him.
When asked if he (Gaye) was professional and competent enough under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration where he (Nagbe ) then served as Minister, he responded by saying, Gaye at the time was supervised by the former head of the National Security Agency, Fomba Sirleaf, unlike now where he is allegedly operating on his own.
Nagbe citing some instances for his assertion narrated how former Deputy EPS Director Stawerd Briggs was arrested and detained on his (Gaye’s) alleged orders only because, Briggs was riding a vehicle in which the EPS Director thinks but not verified as government vehicle but eventually went on to realize that the claim and alarm were false and subsequently he had Briggs released.
However, he (Gaye) acted only because of ‘you say , and I say basis,’ Nagbe alleged.
The former Commissioner General of the Liberia Maritime Authority stressed that the EPS Director in said role has the authority and responsibility to do proper investigation and facts- finding on critical national security issues before making statements, but is always in the alleged business of doing the opposite thus embarrassing the presidency.
“If he does not know the job well, he needs to be sacked by the President, ” he blasted.
Mr. Nagbe, at the same time, disclosed that all vehicles assigned to former President Weah were officially turned over to the EPS contrary to false claim and alarms in the political corridors of the country.
” It was the duty of the EPS boss to inform the Liberian people about the 15 vehicles that were turned over and the one being used by the former Liberian leader is his personal vehicle ,” he further clarified.
Nagbe also openly alleged that the former Liberian President (Weah) is Gaye’s target as evidenced of Weah’s photograph in (Gaye’s) room where it is showing a gun pointed directly at (Weah’s) head, a revelation unveiled by an unidentified girl, though this has not been substantiated or verified.
However, Nagbe challenged the EPS Director to deny such information as he is ready to show said photo to the Public but when contacted , Mr. Gaye termed such allegation as false and misleading.
Speaking on other national issues, he clarified that the Samuel Tweah case is completely different from that of the Brownie Samukai’s case as currently being debated by some politicians and members of the intellectual class.
According to him, former Minister Tweah’s case is about government money being used for national security.
As for former Minister Samukai, he indicated that it was private money, soldiers money that was used by him under the instruction of former President Sirleaf.
He argued that the President can’t instruct you or anyone to use private people money as in the case of former Minister Samukai, but in the case of Tweah, the President can instruct you to use government money for national security purposes, he noted.
Not too exact but Mr. Nagbe disclosed that the money used for national security was in the tune of 6m however, “over a year and four months, monies used for national security under this current administration is over 6m,” he added.
He maintained that the security of former President is key just as the security of the current President including the people in general; as such, the government needs to do more to ensure that the country remains peaceful, calm and stable.
The government, he re-emphasized, needs to do more in order to properly govern the country rather than politics that is more or like affecting the people than benefiting them.
In another development, Nagbe has openly alleged that the current government headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is attempting to steal the vision of former President Weah.
Even though the current government, following the launch of its National Development Plan named and styled, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development is said to be working in line with said national plan but Mr. Nagbe argued that the practical reality is the opposite.
Speaking on the OK Morning Show, Mr. Nagbe described such alleged attempts as theft of vision on the part of the current administration.
Making his case, he stated that the past government did 60% of projects and works that the current administration is attempting to steal.
” There is nothing new that the current government is doing instead, they are continuing works initiated by the past government and is taking the credit without referencing the originator of these projects or works,” he re-emphasized.
He made reference to the ongoing works or road projects in Nimba as well as the RIA road, which were paid for by the past government before the current administration took over.
Mr. Nagbe also referenced the Lofa road project , which he pointed out started by the CDC- led government but disclosed that the current administration is struggling to continue.
In a more disappointing note, Eugene frowned at the recent dedication of the fisheries college at the University of Liberia, a project done and completed under the administration of former Director General, Emma M. Glassco.
“My friend, Cyrus Sagbe, the new Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority spoke at the program without giving a credit to his predecessor who worked very hard to see the realization of that particular project, it is sad,” he lamented.
According to him, the alleged malice by the UP over the CDC is too high and it is not helpful for the country.
He challenged President Boakai to do more in addressing the pressing issues of the country.
President Boakai , he reechoed , has the full responsibility to help keep the country safe and peaceful especially as referenced recently by the ECOWAS Delegation.
“The imposition of new taxes, untold hardship, more children are not in school due to financial issues and their parents are also not working, health care issues , the case of the Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu among others, are issues he needs to focus on,” Nagbe added.
Former President Weah, Nagbe stressed, has served already and has served well and is observing the process.
Despite the current situation and names calling by officials of the current administration, Mr. Nagbe said former President Weah is not and will not be bothered about that, but however will encourage that the discourse be more civil.
“When they blunder, they blame it on former President Weah and they also continue to render insults at the former President and this is unfair, but we believe that President Boakai supports such because, these are his officials and he is following the national issues,” he added.
The Chief of Staff to former President Weah reiterated his boss’s position on the impasse at the House of Representatives, stressing that the rule of law should be upheld for the betterment of the country and its people.
The Supreme Court ruling should be respected and not misinterpreted by others especially politicians who are not lawyers.
Meanwhile, he warned the police to be independent and professional and not to be political in discharging their duties.