By Bill W. Cooper
Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has termed as ‘disingenuous’ some senators’ refusal to appreciate the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government for the developmental initiatives being carried out across Liberia.
She also stated that it was unfortunate to have majority of the senators outlining all of the government’s missteps but refused to also point the government‘s achievements which she described as “unprecedented” in the history of Liberia.
However, the VP’s outburst came following serious criticisms from several senators about the bad road conditions couple with the crippling security sector including the dismal living condition of Liberians under the regime of President George Weah.
The senators, giving their respective update following their constituency break Tuesday, May 16, 2023 in session also accused the Weah-Taylor administration for not doing much to address many challenges affecting the country and its citizenry.
In remarks and updates from their respective breaks, the senators which include Gbotoe Karneh of Gbarpolu, Gevon Smith of Rivercess, Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence of Grand Bassa, Boye Charles Singbe of River Gee County, and Prince Moye of Bong County among others outlined the issues of bad health conditions, lack of basic education, inadequate infrastructures, lack of roads connectivity and the high cost of living among others as some of the negative vices affecting citizens living in rural Liberia.
But in response, VP Taylor blamed the senators of not doing much through their oversight responsibilities to ensure those challenges as mentioned by them are adequately addressed to improve the living conditions of Liberians.
She said, “In the context of democracy coming to Liberia, the Legislature has its own responsibility, and as I listen to the different comments from senators, I was a little disappointed that no senator was able to mention some of the good things government is doing and maybe because this a political year.”
“That’s ok because I think government is big enough to deal with the issues on ground and inform the people about where we are. But there are many good things that have happened over the last five years by this administration and I will continue to say so,” she emphasized.
Madam Howard-Taylor named the construction of the Emirates Hospital in Gbarpolu County couple with the 14-military Hospital and various markets including the payment of WASSCE fees for students.
Others are the waver of tuition across public universities as well as the ongoing construction of the ELWA to Junction, the Bong to Lofa and the ELWA to RIA roads among others as some the major achievements of the Weah led-administration.
VP Taylor asked rhetorically, “Have we done 100 percent, no; have we also failed, no; but this is an ongoing process. Liberia is 173 years old and some of the issues being raised here today have been aged-old problems.”
According to her, over the last 15 to 20 years, much has being done to address some the issues confronting the country, and noted, “And I can say without fear or favor that under the leadership of President Weah, there are many first happening across the country.”
“But like I said, it is this Legislature that does the budget and so, we too have a responsibility to ensure that all of these critical issues being raised are addressed through appropriation as we are the exercising of your oversight responsibility,” she noted.
“And moving forward, it is important that we look at the budget to reflect the needs of our people. I think you as senators need to wake up and buttress the government’s effort in addressing serious critical issues to ensure that we meet the needs and aspiration of our people in line with the President’s vision,” she added.