Liberia’s Information Minister Clarifies Error in President’s State of the Nation Address
Liberia’s Minister of Information, Jerolinmick Mathew Piah, has addressed a discrepancy in President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s 2025 State of the Nation Address, delivered on January 27, 2025. During a press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Minister Piah attributed the mistake to a “clerical error” that occurred during the preparation of the speech.
The error was found in a portion of the address that discussed the administration’s progress in reducing Liberia’s paved road deficit. According to Minister Piah, the prepared speech incorrectly stated that the deficit had been reduced from less than 12 percent to at least 50 percent, with 783 kilometers of roads maintained and year-round connectivity achieved across several regions.
However, the Ministry of Public Works’ submitted information indicated that the paved road network had actually increased from under 12 percent to at least 20 percent, with over 780 kilometers of major road corridors maintained. The ministry’s report also highlighted the government’s focus on restoring key corridors and expanding secondary roads to improve national connectivity.
Minister Piah emphasized that those responsible for developing and reviewing the President’s speech have taken full responsibility for the error and that the Ministry of Public Works should not be held accountable. The error has since been rectified, and an accurate version of the statement has been published on the Ministry of Information’s official Facebook page.
The correction is significant, as it ensures the accuracy of information presented by the government. Minister Piah’s clarification also underscores the importance of attention to detail in official communications. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for rigorous review and verification processes to prevent similar errors in the future. With the correction in place, the government can continue to focus on its development agenda, including efforts to improve Liberia’s infrastructure and enhance national connectivity.
