By Bill W. Cooper
Several individuals purporting to be workers of the beaches and waterways program are seeking the legislators’ intervention into their six months salaries owed them by the government through the Ministry of Youths and Sports (MYS).
The protesters predominately youths were seen holding placards with the inscription: “Minister Wilson, please pay our six-months salaries; Speaker Chambers, please intervene on our behalf; we too as Liberians deserve better and no pay no rest” among others.
Explaining their ordeal to a team of legislative journalists, the aggrieved protesting workers stated that their decision to gather at the Capitol Building was intended to alert lawmakers about the ill-treatment being meted against them by both Minister Samuel Tweah and Zoegar Wilson as well as to plead with that body to see reason to invite the named Ministers for questioning.
They explained that prior to their protest action, the government had earlier appealed with them that only six-months out of the 21 months owed them could be restituted, which according to them, was an agreement but stated that to date, they are yet to get a dime as was promised.
According to them, although two communities in New Kru Town have received two out of the six-month arrears agreed upon; there have been no signs or efforts from the government as to how the remaining communities will receive their salaries despite the numerous engagements by their group leaders with the Finance and Youth and Sport Minister.
The aggrieved workers further disclosed that the total workers are over 1,017 including the ‘quote-unquote’ ghost names, decrying that the worst things of it all, is the fact that those who were punctual at work during the time of the project are not receiving any salary but instead, those who hardly appeared at work and are considered as ‘ghost names.’
The protesting workers further stated that they were also informed by Minister Wilson that the payment process had closed due to the insufficiency of fund having served only 308 persons of the total 1,017 though US$2 million was given by President George Weah to settle their salaries.
They added, “When we were suffering for this party through the rain and sun, Zoegar and Tweah were not around but were busy in America enjoying themselves. So we will not sit and allow them to play fool or make fun out of us because we too deserve better livelihood like any other Liberian.”
“I think it is time for the President to see reason and sack Minister Tweah and Wilson because they are not in the best interest of the ordinary people who suffered to bring this government to power. And I hope that President Weah will not let us down because most people are waiting for their salary arrears to do many things such as paying their children’s school fees and catering for their homes as the July 26 is imminent,” the aggrieved workers stated.
It can be recalled, in 2005, the beaches and waterways project was introduced by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf intended to clean beaches and waterways, thereby creating employment opportunity for several Liberians.
Following series of protests under the Weah-led administration by the project employees for salaries and arrears owed them, the Youths and Sports Minister, Zeogar Wilson then cancelled and dissolved the entire project.