MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Matthew Nyanplu, leader of the Proposed Party for the People, has criticized the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for its failure to suspend Bill McGill Jones, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), amidst allegations of corruption. Speaking on Thursday, January 9, 2025, Nyanplu described corruption within Liberia’s government as a deeply entrenched system aimed at defrauding the public.
“Corruption reports no longer shock me,” Nyanplu declared, branding the government’s actions as a “syndicate to defraud the people.” He highlighted allegations surrounding a controversial $244,441 building painting contract awarded by the MFDP to the Elite Group, which he believes was based on fraudulent practices.
Nyanplu called for immediate action, urging President Boakai to suspend McGill Jones and initiate a criminal investigation into the matter. “That contract must be terminated with immediate effect, and the company owners must be prosecuted,” he stated. According to Nyanplu, the Elite Group allegedly submitted a forged letter of support purportedly from the U.S. Embassy to secure the contract. However, the U.S. Embassy has reportedly denied authorship of the letter, describing its language as riddled with errors.
“This is shameful conduct,” Nyanplu remarked. “Yet Bill went ahead and awarded these groups such a hefty contract. Bill, you are a bad actor and should be terminated.”
The opposition leader also recommended that the MFDP scrap the contract altogether and engage an independent engineering firm or rely on government entities like the Ministry of Public Works to oversee the procurement process.
In a scathing critique of the Liberian media, Nyanplu singled out FrontPage Africa (FPA), accusing the outlet of compromising journalistic ethics by retracting a story on alleged self-dealing at the MFDP without providing a proper apology. Nyanplu questioned how the publication could simultaneously act as “the accuser, the judge, and the jury.”
“Good practice dictates that when you retract or correct a story, you do not delete the original article,” he argued. “You said you retracted the story, but you did not apologize to the public for deliberate deception. You are no authority to clear anyone of wrongdoing. Only a court of law can do that.”
Nyanplu urged FPA to prioritize ethical journalism and resist financial incentives that could compromise its integrity. “Don’t allow heavy money to cloud your ethical judgment,” he warned.
