By Abubakar Hashim
MONROVIA: The cost of living is now a global crisis. From Europe to Africa to Asia, protests occur now daily, leading to the destruction of properties and loss of lives.
In an exclusive interview on August 17, 2024, with The NEWS Magazine of Nigeria at his residence, President Joseph Boakai revealed, among other issues:
“My passion for humanity and service will be my top priority to cushion the cost of living for Liberians, even if it means I ride a wheelbarrow to my office.”
“As we wrote on this platform on Thursday, March 28, 2024, President Joseph Boakai had been pursuing pro poor policies since he assumed office on 22 January 2024,” said the NEWS Magazine of Nigeria.
After issuing Executive Order 126, establishing Asset Recovery Commission last month, to retrieve stolen assets, both fixed and liquid, he has also issued another Executive Order EO 128, few days ago, suspending, with immediate effect, surcharges on petroleum pricing structure, to alleviate and reduce cost of living that is excruciatingly biting hard on Liberians.
EO 128, aims to lower costs of petroleum products by a swift suspension of $ 0.20 surcharge on petroleum pricing formula in the country.
In the estimation of authorities in the Boakai government, the suspension of the surcharge will impact positively on costs of living.
It will lower cost of petroleum products, particularly Petroleum Moror Spirit PMS, otherwise called petrol, Diesel and Kerosene.
The reduction will drastically reduce costs of goods and services, increase productivity and ultimately boost government revenues through increased purchasing power of the people.
During his campaign trail, Boakai embarked on a “ rescue “ mission, to restore Liberia back to the trajectory of growth and development.
EO 128 is positioned to align to the “ rescue “ campaign slogan of Boakai’s team.
The Liberian constitution empowers the President to issue Executive Order in public interest, to address issues of grave proportions that are critical to development.
Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic, rich in subsoil resources, with thick tropical forests.
It’s people are descendants of American heritage. It is the only country in Africa that uses dual currencies, the USD and the local Liberty Dollar, for domestic transactions.
