PATRICK S. TOKPAH
Africa-Press – Liberia. Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, the political leader of the Liberian People’s Party (LPP), has outlined his ten-point agenda for a prosperous Liberia that he would put into effect if given the mantle of authority by the Liberian people on October 10.
If elected, Gongloe vows to review the records of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) audits, potentially leading to prosecutions and recommendations for statute-barred cases in Liberia. He is also committed to non-interference with the judiciary and the police and plans to introduce legislation to make interference by government officials a felony.
Education, agriculture, and health are key priorities in Gongloe’s agenda. He promises to provide free and compulsory quality education from kindergarten to grade 12 and establish free vocational schools in all 15 counties. Additionally, he aims to eliminate illiteracy swiftly by offering stipends to junior and senior high students who will teach basic reading and writing in their communities.
Gongloe’s plans for healthcare include providing free healthcare for pregnant women, Liberian children under five, and Liberians aged 65 and above. He intends to conduct surprise visits to medical facilities to ensure their proper functioning and take administrative action against those failing to meet the required standards.
Recognizing the importance of rice production in Liberia, Gongloe pledges to provide rice farming machines to farmers through cooperatives with a 15-year loan repayment plan in bags of rice. He also plans to empower the military to cultivate rice farms in each county, ultimately achieving self-sufficiency and reducing rice prices.
When asked how he will generate funds for these programs, Gongloe emphasizes robust anti-corruption measures, including slashing high government salaries and eliminating costly loopholes in government policies.
Improving road connectivity is another priority for Gongloe. He acknowledges the challenges faced by many Liberians, particularly in the southeastern part of the country. To address this issue, he plans to construct farm-to-market roads and establish public works yards in each county.
Addressing economic challenges is crucial to stimulating investor interest in Liberia. Gongloe emphasizes the need to create an enabling business environment and would guarantee soft loans for Liberian businesses. He also aims to commission a study within the first 100 days of his administration to determine eligibility for these loans. Additionally, he plans to establish vocational training centers in each county and incentivize manufacturing companies to place plants outside Monrovia, promoting rural employment and reducing rural-urban migration.
Gongloe is a firm supporter of holding a war crimes court to prosecute alleged perpetrators of the civil wars. He believes that this court, recommended by the 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission, is essential for justice. As president of the Liberia National Bar Association, Gongloe led efforts to draft a bill for a war crimes court in 2021, although it was not passed by the legislature.
Gongloe’s stance on these critical issues has garnered support in the upcoming October 10, 2023 elections.
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