IPNEWS: The Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), led by businessman Simeon Freeman, is calling on President Joseph Boakai to release the investigation report into the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The MPC emphasized the importance of addressing drug-related issues, particularly their impact on Liberia’s youth—and that transparency is key if any administration is to succeed in that endeavor.
The party, in a statement released on Monday, July 22, by MPC’s Chairman Oneal Passawe, said it is concerned about the investigative findings from the LDEA saga that is said to have already been submitted to the president.
“The MPC wonders why since the report was submitted to the president it has not been released to the public,” Passawe said in the statement. “This government should be aware of the Freedom of Information Act and the need for transparency in the execution of its functions.”
The demand for the report’s publication follows the suspension of LDEA officials pending the investigation into internal conflicts within the agency.
President Boakai Tuesday, June 4, 2024, suspended, without pay, pending investigation, the Director General of the LDEA, Abraham S. Kromah, Deputy Director General for Administration, Gbawou Kowou, and the Deputy Director General for operations, Hassan Fadiga.
These suspensions were a result of rising tension and infighting among the three officials. After the punitive action, the President immediately ordered an investigation of the events occurring at the Agency on June 3, 2024. He said, “The acts of disorder and chaos that took place at the headquarters of the LDEA were unacceptable.”
However, the investigative finding, which according to reliable sources, has been on the President’s desk for weeks, is yet to be released.
MPC Chairman Passawe noted that a continued delay in acting on the report could give reasons to believe some saying that the report is not favorable.
“We hope this claim is not true, and to disprove this information, there is a need to release the report to the public and implement every necessary recommendation by the committee,” the MPC Chairman noted.
The party has however urged swift action to resolve internal problems within the LDEA to combat drug proliferation effectively.
“If the proliferation of drugs in Liberia that is killing the young folks must stop, the president and his group of loyalties around him should take interest in solving the problem at LDEA,” the statement said.
“The MPC as a major political party and government in waiting is as equally solicitude about the fight against drugs and how it’s damaging the future of our Nation through the young people of Liberia,” he said. “The MPC will not rest in holding the feet of this government to the fire until the right thing is done most especially at the LDEA.”
The MPC is however calling on every other Liberians to join the struggle for democracy as we stand ready to lead and redeem this country any time soon in the future.
The MPC expressed its commitment to holding the government accountable and advocated for the release of the investigative report to ensure transparency and accountability.
President Boakai took action to address disorder at the LDEA headquarters, emphasizing the need for discipline and stability within the organization.
