Monrovia, Dec. 19 -- President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has dismissed claims that a multimillion-dollar villa project under construction in Foya, Lofa County, is intended for his personal benefit, insisting the development is a Mano River Union (MRU) peacebuilding initiative and not a private undertaking linked to him.

Speaking publicly for the first time on the controversy during a live interview on state radio, ELBC, on Friday, President Boakai emphasized that he has never used public funds for personal purposes and has no private interest in the project.

"I don't need a retirement home built for me with public funds," the President said. "God willing, I intend to retire in Foya. I already have a house there, which Samaritan's Purse used f...