In his address during his visit to the city of Zawia last Thursday (29 January), Presidency Council Head Mohamed Menfi stated:
– Libya’s Oil is a national resource that must be managed with the wisdom of the state. We want it to be protected, stable, and transparent.
Menfi was attempting to address Libyans’ concern and puzzlement as to why an oil exporting country is in economic disarray.
Continuing, Menfi said:
– We want transparent national management, disclosure of revenues, clarity in expenditures, good governance in contracts, and accountability for any entity that treats the sole national resource as a private matter.
– There must be genuine national reconciliation built on justice, opening the door for the return and reform of all Libyans without exception.
– We support any path that leads to a national solution with Libyan ownership and decision-making, fair elections, and a constitutional framework that ends the transitional phases.
– Fighting corruption is not merely a slogan in a speech. It is a difficult and dangerous path because when corruption spreads, it develops protectors, networks, and beneficiaries. However, remaining silent about it is even more dangerous because it steals people’s livelihoods and their children’s future.
– Corruption today not only steals public funds but also steals trust. When trust is stolen, the state collapses from within, even if it has resources. Therefore, we are committed to a clear battle: transparency, disclosure, oversight, and accountability. We will cut off the system of bribery, brokerage, and unregulated spending.
– The Libyan citizen is not concerned with the jargon of economics and public spending; what matters to them is the answer to a simple question: Where does the money go? Why aren’t conditions improving? This is a legitimate question. We have enormous spending and meagre results, a drained economy, a dysfunctional financial sector, a currency that is crushing the people, and rampant waste that is opening the floodgates of corruption.
– Today, I announce the formation of a committee dedicated to the energy, spending, and governance sectors. This will not be a committee for media consumption, but one with tangible and immediate results. Its objective is clear: to halt uncontrolled spending, close loopholes for waste, and provide practical recommendations that will be binding on everyone, because the continuation of this situation is dangerous for the country.
– Continuing with the same approach, the same chaos, and the same compromises means that the citizen will pay the price in their livelihood, their security, and the future of their children. Therefore, all parties must bear their responsibility before the people and before history. We will not accept anyone hiding behind slogans, geography, or weapons.
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