…..Minister Tells Legislators to Act, Not Talk
By Amos Harris
Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah has challenged members of the Liberian Legislature to move beyond public criticism and take concrete legislative action to address growing concerns over taxation, arguing that lawmakers share full responsibility for the country’s economic direction.
Speaking on Thursday, October 29, 2026, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Minister Piah was responding to sharp criticism from Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh, who recently accused the administration of placing an excessive financial burden on ordinary Liberians through harsh tax policies.
While Senator Konneh’s statements renewed national debate over the impact of government revenue policies on citizens facing economic hardship, Minister Piah argued that blaming the Executive Branch alone overlooks the Legislature’s constitutional mandate in economic decision-making.
Piah emphasized that the government is not composed solely of the Executive, pointing out that the Legislature is an equal and integral branch of governance. Consequently, he maintained that lawmakers must take direct ownership of addressing policies they believe are unfairly squeezing the population.
The Information Minister challenged legislators who harbor concerns about current tax rates to exercise their statutory oversight powers by summoning relevant administration officials, demanding formal explanations, and drafting remedial legislation. He stressed that direct institutional engagement would be far more productive than issuing public declarations without legislative follow-through.
Characterizing persistent public outcry without formal intervention as mere “Attaya shop conversations,” Piah suggested that political rhetoric alone will not resolve the complex economic challenges facing the nation. His remarks directly targeted lawmakers who voice opposition to government policies while failing to utilize their constitutional powers to enact change.
Piah went further to question whether Senator Konneh was attempting to distance himself from the administration, reinforcing the point that legislators are fundamental actors within the governing system and share a duty to contribute constructively to national problem-solving.
Nevertheless, the central debate highlights a broader question regarding how lawmakers should balance their duty to critique government policy with their direct participation in governance. The core issue remains whether Liberia’s current tax structure places an unsustainable strain on ordinary households and businesses, and what concrete measures will be taken to alleviate that burden.
Achieving true public accountability requires a dual effort: while lawmakers must rigorously scrutinize state policy, the Executive must clearly articulate revenue requirements, tax logic, and the practical impact of these decisions on household incomes. As the political debate unfolds, the Liberian public continues to look for both branches of government to move past political exchanges and deliver balanced fiscal policies that safeguard citizen livelihoods while fulfilling national obligations.