Monrovia – In a live radio interview last evening, Senator Edwin Snowe of Bomi County and Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County made startling remarks regarding ongoing issues within the government, accusing their colleagues of corruption and legislative failure.
Senator Snowe expressed frustration over the perception that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) under George Weah is criminal while the Unity Party (UP) is deemed virtuous. “Nine months ago, we were led to believe that everything about the CDC is criminal and everything associated with the UP is good. But it appears those who claimed to be good at the time are now worse than those they called criminals. This is embarrassing,” Snowe stated. He particularly criticized the handling of an off-budget issue involving nearly $16 million, labeling it both wrong and illegal. Independent sources suggest that several budget line items never reached their intended targets, raising concerns among citizens who feel betrayed by their leaders.
“The citizens are very angry. We need to be vocal in the legislature and take drastic action,” Snowe added, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency.
Representative Musa Bility did not hold back in his critique, suggesting that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, is failing in his leadership role. “If the Liberian people were to come into that place and overrun it, I would not be surprised,” Bility warned, describing the current leadership as ineffective in bringing about the necessary changes within the legislature.
Bility accused some legislators of being complicit in the alleged corruption, stating, “Those who are leaders in that place are the ones doing money laundering. Koffa lacks the capacity to enact change.” He suggested that Koffa is being held hostage by those who supported his election, implying that the leadership is compromised by their own affiliations and interests.
Furthermore, Bility claimed that former Vice President Joseph Boakai, who is now President of Liberia, is similarly constrained, calling him “caged” and stating that he is worse off than Koffa. Bility described the Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate as merely an extension of the executive branch, undermining legislative independence.
The lawmakers called for an authorized audit of the Central Bank of Liberia, criticizing senators who align with the government for their inability to fulfill their responsibilities. “How can you expect someone who is receiving the highest pay from the Central Bank for legal representation to push for an audit of the bank?” Bility asked pointedly, labeling the current state of the legislature as a “house of crimes.” He claimed that Speaker Koffa’s Internal Law Group, a law firm reportedly received a significant payment from the Central Bank.
As tensions rise within the Liberian legislature, the remarks from Snowe and Bility reflect the growing discontent among lawmakers and citizens alike, calling for urgent reforms and accountability in a system many believe is failing to serve the needs of the people. Senator Snowe also spoke on the lingering MedTech and CTM issue, stating that UP members used this topic to campaign against George Weah. He criticized the MedTech deal as detrimental for Liberia, adding that Liberia Revenue Authority’s Dorbor Jallah and Commerce Minister Amie Modah have been campaigning for MedTech.
Snowe remarked, “The purchase of a vehicle with MedTech money is bad. This government has taken over and is doing the same thing they accused the CDC of doing. What justification does Dorbor Jallah give for using the LRA as a spending agency?” He indicated that if this situation continues without Boakai taking action, he would agree with Bility’s assertion that President Boakai is not in charge of the nation’s affairs. “My appeal to Dorbor Jallah is that this MedTech deal is bad and could undermine his image,” he stated.
He further explained, “Once you shout loudly in government against wrongs, people begin to play games with you,” pointing out that “the MedTech issue is money laundering.” Snowe alleged that Amie Modah, Boakai’s Commerce Minister, is related to a Lebanese hotel owner and disclosed that the commerce minister took his hotel manager to the ministry to handle the Import Permit Declaration (IPD) area.
For Musa Bility, the sentiment was clear: “MedTech does not need to be in Liberia. It has no use. Liberians can perform the same job. This scandal is just unfolding. But I know LRA is not a spending agency.”