Monrovia – A debt of over two decades by the Government of Liberia is hampering Itter Pharmacy from expanding, according to Nabil El Iter, owner of Itter Pharmacy.
Report by Edwin Genoway – [email protected]
The Lebanese businessman says the government owes the pharmacy US$100,000 for drugs supplied to the Ministry of Health in 1996.
El Eter told the FrontPageAfrica that the government had requested his pharmacy to supply the Ministry of Health with pharmaceutical drugs worth US$100,000.
He explained that since the supply took place in 1996, it has been reneging to pay, bringing serious setback to his business.
He expressed disappointment that the government has not lived up to its responsibilities.
“I am disappointed in the way government has been treating me for my money. It is because of that money we could not extend our business in other parts of the country,” he noted.
He explained that since government is continuity, he (El Eter) will not give up in asking for the money government owes Itter Pharmacy.
“The Ministry of Health in 1996 is the same Ministry of Health today, and the drugs that we supplied were not drugs used on citizens of different country.
They were drugs used on Liberians, so we are not going to stop asking for our money,” he noted.
He noted that during the time of the supply, his father was then the manager for the pharmacy, saying it bewilders him that the money has not been paid.
The letter of request for the supply of the drugs was signed by then Minister of Health, Vamba Kanneh.
“During our assessment tour in the various counties, there is a need for urgently essential drugs.
Therefore, we are kindly requesting that you supply the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with the attached listed drugs for the re-activation of our health facilities in the counties, pending the complete processing of a voucher in the amount of US$100,000 , prepared by this Ministry to the Ministry of Finance in favor of your drug store,” the letter noted.
Another letter from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Finance, instructing then Minister of Finance, Elia Saleeby to pay the money is also in the possession of this paper.
“I’m pleased to inform you that during the heat of the civil war, there was an urgent need for the essential drugs for the re-activation of the health facilities throughout the country.”
“Realizing the survival of our people, we requested the management of M. R. Itter Pharmacy to supply the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with drugs and medical supplies to enable the ministry carried on its functions.
“In this connection, we are kindly requesting that you make payment on voucher #8-3HW in the amount of US$100,000,00 (one hundred thousand United States Dollars) in favor of M. R Itter Pharmacy of Monrovia,” the letter reads.
But when contacted, the Chief Medical Officer of Liberia, Francis N. Kateh, said he could not speak to the issue.
“I cannot say anything in that regard because I was not in government at the time it happened. If it was something that happened last year I would say something about it because it was the time I came to the Ministry,” he told FPA via mobile.
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