MONROVIA – Janga Augustus Kowo, the acting Chairman of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has voiced strong criticism against the Unity Party (UP) government regarding the controversial procurement of 285 earth-moving machines. On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Kowo condemned the procurement process, labeling it as fraudulent and detrimental to democratic governance and accountability.
“A fraudulent procurement process undermines our democratic governance and accountability processes,” Kowo asserted. He emphasized the CDC’s commitment to collaborating with lawmakers to ensure that stringent checks are implemented to uphold the country’s laws. Kowo further criticized the Unity Party government for its “arrogance and nonchalant posture in butchering the laws of the state,” describing it as condescending and indicative of a total disregard for the rule of law.
Kowo also highlighted several instances of what he described as the UP government’s flagrant violations of tenure laws, disregard for Supreme Court rulings, and arbitrary illegal dismissals of trained Executive Protection Service (EPS) officers. These actions, he argued, demonstrate the government’s disconnect from reality and its lack of respect for legal and constitutional frameworks.
“The excessive use of force and violence against unarmed protesters in Kinjor, leading to several deaths, and the recent alleged shooting of a teenager in the Rehab community are gross human rights violations that will not go unchecked,” Kowo stated. He stressed that these incidents exemplify the government’s human rights abuses and its failure to address the concerns of the populace.
Kowo concluded by criticizing the UP government for its lack of a coherent plan to govern the country. He called for increased vigilance and action from lawmakers to ensure that the government is held accountable for its actions and that the laws of the land are respected and enforced.
This statement from Kowo comes amid ongoing scrutiny and debate over the procurement of the earth-moving machines, which has been a focal point of criticism from various quarters. The CDC’s position underscores the broader concerns about governance and accountability in Liberia, and the need for transparency and adherence to legal processes in government operations.
