By: Wilmot Konah
Monrovia, Liberia: Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah has sharply criticized officials of the former Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government for what he described as their irritation over Liberia’s renewed progress toward securing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact Grant.
According to Minister Piah, it is disappointing to see some Liberians, particularly officials of the immediate past administration, openly speaking against the country’s advancing prospects of qualifying for the grant.
“It is shocking and disheartening to see people, especially former officials, getting upset simply because Liberia is making progress toward securing an MCC Grant,” Piah said.
He noted that the CDC-led government failed to meet key MCC scorecard indicators during its six years in power, while the current Unity Party administration has begun implementing critical reforms to put the country on track.
“What we are doing now is correcting those failures and putting Liberia back on track, and that is what seems to be irritating some of them,” he added.
The Government’s chief spokesperson emphasized the significance of the MCC Compact, stressing that the grant is essential to driving sustainable national development.
Recently, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan expressed optimism that Liberia stands a strong chance of qualifying for the MCC Grant following the country’s reaffirmation for a second compact.
If approved, the non-refundable fund would support key sectors of Liberia’s development agenda, provided it is efficiently managed and properly utilized.
Minister Piah made the remarks Thursday during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing.
