Liberia: Benoni Urey, Next Liberian President? Millionaire-Business Heralds Readiness The dog days of the UN travel ban behind him, Benoni Urey is still haunted by his ties to former President Charles Ghankay Taylor but judging from his earlier pronouncement and political maneuvering, his supporters say, the Taylor tie could actually prove to be an asset, rather than a liability for the millionaire businessman who has made it quite clear that he will be a contender and a force to reckon with in the 2017 presidential race. Urey is featured prominently in this months New African Magazine, which asks the question: Liberias Next President? The magazines cover story features interviews with Urey and some of his supporters as he makes his case for the Liberian presidency. Preying on the growing perception that the ruling Unity Party government has been weak on corruption and governance, Urey is counting on his business successes in his quest to separate himself from the rest of the pack. At this Point in the life of our nation, we need somebody with the requisite experience and know-how to run the country. I have worked in several governments. I have both political and business experience. I have the requisite education, and I have been able to show that I can use all of these things to run the country, Urey says. Many political observers add that Ureys financial muscle could make him a formidable opponent in what is expected to be another wide field of contenders in a sea reminiscent of the 2005 race which featured 22 politicians vying for the top prize. Urey explains that he acquired most of his wealth from his investment in LoneStarCell/MTN and his farm in Careysburg where he is said to have the fourth largest rubber plantation in the country. He is currently a majority shareholder and head of the board. Urey dismisses the much-held perceptions that he attained his wealth from his time as head of the Liberia Maritime Authority. Some people claim that my wealth came from when I was the commissioner for maritime affairs. That is totally incorrect. Urey says there has been at least three audits conducted since his departure from the maritime bureau and he has not been held by any. The government of Liberia sent auditors to audit the maritime programe when I was Commissioner. VOSCON audited me, and the European Union also audited the maritime programme. In all the audits, they found that the Maritime Bureau rather owed me money, but they have not been honorable enough to pay me what the Maritime Bureau owes me, and you ask why I havent commented on it. But never has the international community accused me of any financial impropriety while I was at the Maritime Bureau. What you are hearing is all empty political talk. In fact, Urey insists that much of the wealth he has acquired came after his departure from the Maritime Bureau. Well, I did start a poultry farm when I was Commissioner, but most of what I have acquired over the years came after my days at the Maritime Bureau. After I left the Maritime programme, I started my GSM company, LonestarCell Communications, in which I now jointly own 40 percent shares. That has been the primary source of my wealth and income, and whatever I have had from LonestarCell has been re-invested wisely to reach where things are today. Urey insists that he acquired his wealth through hard work. I started my poultry farm during the Taylor administration. At that time we were the only poultry producers in Liberia. We were selling eggs. We were growing pepper. We had cattle. We had a fishery programme. Thats where my wealth started from. Then after Taylor was removed from power, I devoted my time and energy to my business, and from there it grew and grew.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 12:24:43 +0000
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