By: Varney Dukuly
MONROVIA: President-elect Joseph Boakai on Friday called out his transition team at the Executive Mansion, saying they were “competent” and ready to work in the best interest of the country for a smooth transition with less than two months until he becomes commander in chief.
“Consistent with Executive order #123 setting up the joint Presidential Transitional Team; I hereby designate the Vice President elect to act as Co-chairperson in my absence to oversee all affairs of the Joint Presidential Transitional Team 2023 and conduct all meetings,” Boakai said in the Executive Mansion during a brief meeting with the joint presidential transition team. “I will like to say the President and I stand ready to assist in any areas you will like for us come to in.”
Earlier, the outgoing President George Weah push for honesty and patriotism among members of the JPTT noting in a statement that a successful transition, professionally orchestrated will not only shape the trajectory of Liberia but will positively influence peace and prosperity.
“We find ourselves entrusted with a solemn duty to chart the course for seamless transfer of power to the incoming administration,” Weah said.
Boakai’s comment reignited relief with the mansion just over a week after the President appointed officials to the government transition team. They include Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dean of the Cabinet, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of National Defense, and the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs among others.
But Boakai on Friday said what he sees was a competent team ready to work in the best interest of the country and its people adding that he and the president stand ready to assist when the need arises. Boakai also admonished the members of the Joint Presidential Transition Team to show respect and honor in their work for the good of the country.
“Again, I want to thank the President for receiving us and the role he has played in this transition period,” the President elect said. “We have demonstrated that as Liberian we can stand for our country and the President has demonstrated that; we want to thank him for issuing the executive order.”
Boakai reiterated concerns that there is a need that every citizen including government officials’ work to ensure that Liberia gained her place in terms of respect among the comity of nations in the world once again.
In particular, Boakai assured President Weah that whatever his team does for Liberia will be in the best of the country.
The mansion has continued to “agree and support” meetings with Boakai’s team members, a transition analysts told the Investigative Independent News Paper on Sunday after the President elect remarks, noting that the two sides has made progress since NEC’s announcement.
To ensure transparency, outgoing President indicated strongly, calling on all government institutions to fully cooperate in facilitating the transition by diligently preparing “Your turnover notes.” The success according to the President hinges on ‘our collective commitment to the greater good of our nation.’
The President-elect has recently stepped up his appreciation of the Weah’s administration handling of the transfer of power, which has been easy by the outgoing President’s decision to accept his electoral defeat to Boakai and his step to respect the will of the people by peacefully and democratically accepting to transition to the next government.
