MONROVIA – The Indomitable National Youth Congress (INYC) of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) has sharply criticized President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration over the reported construction of a US$10 million Presidential Villa in Foya District, Lofa County, describing the project as “extravagant, secretive, and a betrayal of public trust.”
In its 4th State of the Youth Report, released in Monrovia, the ANC youth body alleged that the project—linked to MUSNS Groups Incorporated, headed by a close associate of the President—lacks transparency and oversight from the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC). The group claimed the construction, which is reportedly under tight security, has not been subjected to legislative debate or public scrutiny.
“At a time when Liberians are desperate for jobs, schools, clinics, and safe drinking water, spending US$10 million on a luxury villa is an insult to the suffering masses,” said INYC Secretary-General Aliue Kiadii. “That money could build factories, rehabilitate roads, equip hospitals, or fund agriculture projects.”
The INYC called on civil society groups, the Press Union of Liberia, international partners, and ordinary citizens to demand full disclosure on the project’s authorization, funding sources, and compliance with procurement laws.
Concerns Over Justice and Governance
The report also criticized the Boakai administration for what it described as failures in justice and governance. Citing President Boakai’s recent speech at the UN Security Council, the INYC said Liberia’s reality contradicts the image of peace and reform projected abroad.
The youth congress specifically demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Bryant McGill, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. They alleged that the Liberia National Police is stalling the case to shield political allies.
“The survivor and her family must be protected, and justice must not be delayed or denied,” the statement insisted.
Lawmakers, Corporate Interests, and Oil Deals
The INYC further condemned what it called an “unannounced and unaccountable” visit by select lawmakers to ArcelorMittal Liberia during the legislative recess, warning against corporate influence over public policy. Echoing Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr., they described such meetings as “backdoor deals” that undermine transparency and public trust.
The group also expressed skepticism about the recent signing of four offshore oil blocks with Nigeria’s Atlas-Oranto Petroleum. While acknowledging President Boakai’s assurances of transparency and local participation, the INYC warned against repeating past mistakes where “the people went unpaid, the land was scarred, and the youth remained unemployed.”
They questioned the lack of binding commitments to Liberian labor, environmental protections, and technical capacity, urging rigorous legislative scrutiny.
The “Third Option” and Youth Mobilization
The INYC concluded by endorsing what it termed “The Third Option,” a path to economic liberation championed by ANC political leader Alexander B. Cummings. They hailed Cummings as a visionary with global experience to rescue Liberia from what they described as a “looted, mismanaged, and auctioned economy.” Beyond politics, the youth group also announced the launch of a county-wide campaign against drug and substance abuse, beginning in Montserrado County. Citing alarming rates of youth addiction and deaths, they pledged to “mobilize, educate, and confront the crisis,” while urging the government to prioritize rehabilitation over repression.
