By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
The Weah administration will not deny benefits to former Vice President and former presidential candidate in 2017 general and presidential elections, Joseph Boakai. That was the assurance the State and Presidential Affairs Minister Nathaniel McGill gave Sunday, April 8, 2018.
Minister McGill’s clarification was direct response to some members of the former ruling Unity Party that the Weah administration was denying Veep Boakai his full benefit as Vice President of Liberia. But he assures that Boakai will get his benefits if it is proven by existing laws that calls for former officials should get benefits.
Speaking to our Correspondent Sunday morning at his residence in Monrovia, Minister McGill said the Weah government has no antagonism against former Vice President Boakai or any former leaders but says the laws will be adhered to.
There have been outcries by followers of the Unity Party former standard-bearer calling on the Government of Liberia to Boakai his benefits. Some accused the Weah regime of deliberately denying the former Vice President his just benefits. But Minister McGill said it is not within the agenda of the Coalition for Democratic Change government to deny Boakai anything, adding that the government is in search legal provisions that will back the action of the government if the government is to give benefits to Boakai.
McGill recalled following the inauguration of President George Manneh Weah, the President gave two brand new vehicles to Boakai and another two to former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as his personal gifts to the former national leaders.
According to him, there is legal battle between the immediate past administration of President Johnson Sirleaf and former President Charles Taylor for benefits before the Supreme Court. Former President Taylor through his legal team sued the Liberian government demanding his benefits, but Liberian government under Ellen challenged the claims.
On March 27, 2013, former President Charles G. Taylor’s lawyer in Liberia, Counselor J. Sayma Syrenius Cephus, wrote former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, requesting her intervention to speedily addressing his client’s demands for retirement benefits, following apparent unfruitful out-of-court settlement with the Justice Ministry.
Cllr. Cephus’ letter addressed to the Liberian Chief Executive reads: “This letter is an SOS call – the last gasp for hope that is being made on behalf of your fellow citizens and friends-two of the most venerated public officials of our great country.”
McGill said that “government is continuality” and that the lawsuit before the Supreme Court has to be resolved before the government can decide the benefits of former leaders. He intimated that the Sirleaf’s government challenged the process that there is no law to give benefits to former leaders.
Commenting on the government denying Boakai duty free privilege on his container, McGill said that the Liberia Revenue Authority informed his office that there is no provision that grants former vice president duty free privileges.
He pointed out that the government is acting in accordance with the laws on the book and not by how someone thinks.
