MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Montserrado County Senator Darius Dillon’s recent apology to former President George Weah regarding criticism of his use of private jets during his presidency has reignited debate over the expenses and conditions surrounding such practices by Liberian heads of state. Dillon, a vocal supporter of the current administration, made the apology during an interview on OK FM on Monday, January 13, 2025, acknowledging that earlier criticisms of Weah’s frequent use of private aircraft may have been premature and uninformed.
Dillon’s remarks have drawn attention to the practices of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who has also utilized private jets during his tenure. The Senator admitted that his earlier stance did not take into account the pressing need for heads of state to travel efficiently, often necessitating the use of private jets. His comments have since sparked calls for a thorough investigation into the financial and logistical implications of such arrangements under both administrations.
Veteran journalist and former BBC correspondent Jonathan Paye-Layleh has added his voice to the discourse, urging the Liberian media to take the lead in investigating the terms and conditions of private jet usage by both Weah and Boakai. In a public statement released Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Paye-Layleh emphasized the importance of uncovering the costs associated with these flights, suggesting that the controversy is less about the use of private jets and more about the financial burden it places on the state.
According to Paye-Layleh, understanding the similarities and differences in how the two leaders have approached the use of private aircraft is critical for public accountability. He called on the media to conduct a rigorous and independent investigation to determine whether the costs and conditions of private jet usage during Weah’s presidency are comparable to those under Boakai’s administration.
“The media community needs to establish some facts about this for the benefit of the greater public,” Paye-Layleh wrote. “It’s about investigating facts surrounding the use of private jets—to know what is similar or different, in terms of costs to the nation, in the two Presidents’ use of private jets.”
He also highlighted the need for transparency in the matter, urging Senator Dillon to share any information he may have about the financial aspects of President Boakai’s private jet use. Paye-Layleh argued that shedding light on the specifics of these arrangements would provide clarity for a public increasingly concerned about government spending and fiscal responsibility.
The debate over the use of private jets by Liberian leaders is not new but has resurfaced with fresh intensity following Dillon’s unexpected apology. During Weah’s presidency, critics frequently condemned his reliance on private jets, framing it as an unnecessary extravagance in a country struggling with economic challenges. Now, with Boakai facing similar scrutiny, questions about the costs and justification for such expenditures have taken center stage once again.
