Despite some recognizable gains made by government to improve Liberia's social economic and political governance, Cllr. Varney Sherman, this year Independence Day Orator, has declared that the achievement made by government is not enough

The Unity Party national chairman also called on government to also implement some components of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Even after nearly 10 years of the absence of gunfire in the country, Cllr. Sherman said the wounds of the country's brutal civil unrest are still fresh and visible.

He recognized and acknowledged government's efforts in the areas of road rehabilitation and other huge infrastructure initiatives undertaken in recent years, but warned that all that could go in vain if serious attention is not paid to policies and programs that will help improve the lives of ordinary Liberian citizens. "Madam President and Mr. Vice President and honorable members of the leadership of our country, there's no doubt that much has been accomplished and achieved since we heard the last gunfire in 2003. The rule of law, respect for human values and adherence to generally accepted principles of human conducts and behavior have been ensured through our President's assistance and tenacity," the Independence Day orator said.

He added: "But as others would say, I submit that all these achievements and accomplishments, including many others that I have mentioned here today are not enough as a foundation for the transformation of our country. I believe that some of those things that made us to go to war are still simmering. And, I rush to forget that at every Independence Day, we as leaders of Liberia should examine ourselves and every aspect of our country and ask whether enough of the fundamental differences and long-standing problems which caused our civil war were addressed."

The gap between the poor and not rich, he said, must be bridged in order to promote true and genuine peace and reconciliation in the country, as well as lasting peace and security. In order for the government to be remembered positively, he suggested that the Ellen Sirleaf regime invest in projects and programs that will make much larger impact for the greater majority of the population. Cllr. Sherman named the building of hand pumps and the electrification of poorer communities for ordinary people throughout the country as one of several areas in which government would make positive impacts in the lives of the ordinary people. "Even after two circles of the holding of general and presidential elections, the social collective development initiatives for our people are still daunting. Some of our people appear to give up all hope for the betterment of their situation in their life time," he said. He underlined poverty, social and economic deprivation and doggery as root causes of the country's cruel civil upheaval which left its social infrastructure in terrible ruins.

"Therefore, I propose to you that we pay attention to the extreme poverty and social and economic deprivation and doggery that our people experience. As much as this government has done to reduce extreme poverty to improve the lives and livelihood of our people, and remove them from the experience of doggery, there is still much more to be done," Cllr. Sherman said. Cllr. Sherman, who's also National Chairman for the ruling Unity Party, also called for extraordinary steps to empower the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission so as to render a decisive factor in the fight against corruption.

"Madam President, Mr. Vice President and members of the leadership of our country, you would not be remembered as a government who made change in the lives of our people, despite all the efforts you are making to see the country transformed, if people continue to judge us (public servants) as corrupt people and view government as a place of getting personal wealth. This, Madam President, must be worked on. The LACC must be given prosecutorial power to be able to deter corruption," Cllr Sherman suggested. He also backed the implementation of the legal recommendations of the TRC, nothing that such move also would lead to genuine healing and reconciliation amongst Liberians, as well as setting the pace for genuine transformation in the country.

But responding, President Sirleaf said her government was committed to the implementation of the TRC.

"Oftentimes, when the discourse turns to reconciliation, the diehards exclaim that reconciliation cannot take place because the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have not been implemented. Let me reiterate that our government is fully committed to the implementation of the TRC" the president said.

He paid respect to the Liberia's founding fathers; whose courage, boldness, commitment and tenacity he said got the country to where it is, and warned that the only way such legacy can be maintained is to follow their courage and bravery, describing the event as a day of remembrance and joy for the entire country. Cllr. Sherman also lauded the efforts of ECOWAS countries for their sacrifices and contributions made toward the restoration of peace and stability in the Liberia, especially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, describing the country's role in resolving Liberia's civil conflict as very pivotal.