MONROVIA – In a fiery live radio interview on Sunday evening, September 22, 2024, Senator Edwin Snowe of Bomi County and Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County voiced strong accusations against fellow lawmakers and government officials, accusing them of corruption, legislative incompetence, and undermining national interests. Their explosive comments have sparked fresh concerns over the integrity of Liberia’s leadership under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
Senator Snowe expressed dismay at what he described as a growing perception that the Unity Party (UP) government, which was viewed as a beacon of integrity compared to the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) regime, is now worse. “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 lamented.
He pointed to a scandal involving nearly $16 million in off-budget expenditures, which he called “illegal and wrong.” Reports indicate that several budgeted items failed to reach their intended beneficiaries, leaving many citizens feeling betrayed. “The citizens are very angry. We need to be vocal in the legislature and take drastic action,” Snowe urged, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Representative Bility echoed Snowe’s sentiments, singling out House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa as a primary source of legislative dysfunction. “If the Liberian people were to come into that place and overrun it, I would not be surprised,” Bility remarked, arguing that Koffa’s leadership is inadequate in effecting change. Bility further accused some lawmakers of engaging in money laundering, declaring, “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 beholden to those who supported his election as Speaker, making it difficult for him to lead effectively. In a sharp critique of the current political landscape, Bility also referred to President Joseph Boakai as “caged,” arguing that Boakai is worse off than Koffa and implying that the legislature has become a puppet of the executive branch, jeopardizing its independence.
Both lawmakers called for an audit of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), questioning how senators with close ties to the government can effectively push for transparency. Bility particularly targeted Speaker Koffa’s Internal Law Group, which allegedly received substantial payments from the CBL, reinforcing the belief that corruption has gripped the nation’s leadership. He branded the legislature as a “house of crimes.”
Senator Snowe also brought attention to the controversial MedTech and CTM deal, accusing Unity Party officials of using the issue to campaign against former President George Weah, only to engage in similar misconduct themselves. He expressed concerns over Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner Dorbor Jallah and Commerce Minister Amie Modah’s involvement in pushing the MedTech deal, which he criticized as harmful to Liberia.
“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,” Snowe declared, warning that the MedTech scandal could damage Dorbor Jallah’s reputation. He called on President Boakai to take immediate action, suggesting that continued inaction would affirm claims that Boakai is not truly in charge.
Snowe further alleged that Commerce Minister Modah, who is related to a prominent Lebanese hotel owner, appointed her hotel manager to oversee the Import Permit Declaration (IPD) area within the ministry, raising further concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Representative Bility, speaking on the same issue, underscored the irrelevance of MedTech to Liberia, arguing that Liberians are fully capable of performing the job. “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,” he emphasized.
As discontent grows among lawmakers and the public alike, Snowe and Bility’s comments have kindled calls for urgent reforms within the government, pushing for an end to corruption and the restoration of legislative integrity.
