Filed in by Olando Testimony Zeongar – 0776819983/0880-361116/life2short4some@yahoo.com
KAKATA, Margibi County – The political leader of the opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings has cautioned officials of the George Weah-led government to stop stealing the resources belonging to the people of Liberia.
Serving as Guest Speaker at program marking the celebration of the one year anniversary of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia (EFFL) in Kakata City, Margibi County on Saturday, 20 July 2019, Mr. Cummings averred that corruption which he prefers referring to as stealing, is among reasons why Liberia is yet to become a better country.
Mr. Cummings who believes Liberia deserves better, atoned that the mere fact that officials of government steal the Liberian people money and spends same on themselves, is one key reason why Liberia is still a poor country, urging his audience to join him in cautioning corrupt officials to desist by repeating after him; “Stop the stealing!”
“Let me tell you some of the reasons why we don’t have a better Liberia. One, is this thing called corruption – this thing called stealing; having our government officials take your money, take my money and spend it on themselves – so this thing called corruption is stealing, is even one of the reasons why we are a poor country today…” Cummings said.
He said another reason why Liberia is not a better country yet, is because Liberians limit the access to opportunities from each other – “We don’t work together very well”, said Cummings, who stressed that every Liberian has the right to the economic opportunities for Liberia.
He told members of the EFFL the breaking away from the syndrome of not working together well should start with the emerging political group, urging the Emmanuel Gonquoi-led Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia to fight for every Liberian to have access to the opportunities in the country, regardless of their political affiliation.
“Every Liberian should have access to the opportunities in our country – and that’s another reason why we deserve a better Liberia,” he added.
He said when every Liberian citizen is given access to opportunities in their country, in the end, it will then be up to each individual Liberian to do what it takes to improve themselves and to improve the country as well.
Cummings envisages that Liberians, whom he says are smart and good people, will someday make the right political decision that will make them have a better Liberia, reiterating that he is of the belief that Liberians deserve a better Liberia.
“Liberia deserves better”
The ANC political leader noted that with the celebration of Liberia’s 172nd independence anniversary just few days ahead, on Friday 26 July, with the nation being the oldest black republic on the African continent, Liberians deserve a better Liberia where there will be better schools, good leadership capable of efficiently running the country’s economy, and electricity and roads being provided across country.
“We should have roads across our country. We should have the leadership of our country that knows how to run an economy. We should have the leadership of our country that can explain what happened to 25 million United States dollars. We should have the leadership of our country that can explain what happened to 16 billion Liberian dollars. After 172 years, we deserve a better Liberia.” he said.
Cummings, who wooed his audience to repeat after him; “we deserve a better Liberia”, lamented that the Weah-led government has disappointed Liberians and that the retired footballer turned politician’s administration continues to be a disappointment.
Howbeit, the ANC political leader called on Liberians not to give up, even though they are experiencing tough times.
“So as we celebrate a hundred and seventy-two years, I know things are tough and difficult, and I know that our government has disappointed us and continues to do so. But I don’t want us to give up hope. I want us to believe in ourselves. I want us to believe Liberia will get better,” Cummings emphasized.
He continued: “I don’t want us to be discouraged. As difficult as things are today in our country, we are smart people – Liberians, you and I, we are smart, we are resilient, we are hardworking, we are tough people – and this is why I believe we deserve a better Liberia and… we can have a better Liberia.”
‘Rule of law’
Speaking on the theme: “Rule Of Law, A Foundation For Building A Resilient Society For All”, Cummings challenged Liberians, particularly members of the EFFL, to set good example regarding upholding the rule of law in the country, stressing that issues of rule of law are not just for leaders of the group and officials of government, but that it starts with them.
“So what does [the] rule of law mean in your daily lives? It means for example; do not steal from each other, that’s part of the rule of law; it means, do not steal electricity, that’s part of the rule of law; it means do not bribe people, that’s part of the rule of law; it means obeying the traffic rules, if you have a car, you are a driver – you have a motorcycle, you have a ‘Keh-Keh’, it means you follow the rules,” Cummings emphasized.” He said.
He added: “of course, following the rule of law means our government officials should not be corrupt – they should not steal from us. It means they have to follow the rules. It means when they sign contracts, and when we sign contracts, we have to live by those agreements, by those contracts. So following the rule of the law, means that every Liberian has to follow the rule of law – whether you are a big-shot, whether you are a small boy, you are a small person, you have to follow the rule of law.”
He asserted that we cannot have a country where nobody follows the rule, adding that the beginning of an economic system that works is one that follows the rule of law.
Cummings said he was glad the EFFL used as its theme for the group’s first anniversary, Rule of Law, “because every Liberian and every member of the EFFL, needs to set the example to follow the rule of law”, stating, “Because that’s how you will build the economic freedom that your party stands for.”
CIC Gonquoi
For his part, the Founder and Commander-In-Chief of EFFL, Emmanuel Gonquoi, in his 1st-Anniversary address, asserted that his organizations’ one-year existence has been a happy and successful one in some many ways, indicating that it has been defined by a pattern of happy memories, supportive friendships, and enduring relationships.
“Of course there have also been some paths that may have been slightly more difficult to travel together. Yet in spite and despite the odd stumbling blocks along the way – we have traveled through yet another year – together, supportive, encouraging and enduring,” CIC Gonquoi said.
He expressed gratitude for what he called a fantastic year but noted that his group was also turning expectantly to the coming year.
“We look forward to another wonderful year – a time to build and strengthen forged relationships even further; a time to create and cherish even more shared memories and a time filled with dreams that are brought ever closer and milestones – whatever they may be – achieved,” he said.
“Today, as we celebrate the first anniversary of the existence of the EFFL, I value, even more, the special people that we are able to share this occasion with,” said Gonquoi, who emphasized that “It doesn’t matter where you go in life or what you achieve, or what you do – what matters most is who you have beside you along the way!”
“Thank you – one and all – for being beside us this past year…and may you be ever near in the years ahead,” CIC Gonquoi added.
He noted that the beginning of anything is usually accompanied by uphill battles, stating that in the case of the EFFL, utmost courage and fortitude was required of the group’s membership on their one-year journey for the fight for social justice, equality and economic emancipation in Liberia.
“So, the first year of the existence of the EFFL is indeed an occasion to celebrate – an opportunity to momentarily look back but a golden ticket to chart the path forward, Gonquoi said, adding, “I am delighted to be welcoming all of you here this afternoon as we celebrate the 1st-anniversary of the establishment of the Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia. I’m deeply honored for the turned out today and as such, we will like to appreciate EFFL’s Margibi Command for a great organization.”
“Fellow fighters, thanks for the collective one-year achievements but I promise more success stories in our second year because we have learned from our previous mistakes,” he said.
