Capitol Hill, Monrovia – River Gee County Electoral District Three Representative, Francis Saidy Dopoh is craving the indulgence of plenary to invite President Weah’s top cabinet members to testify whether the Government actually supplied schools across the country with chairs as announced by the President.
The officials include the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill, Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel Tweah and Education Minister, Prof. Ansu D. Sonii, Sr.
On January 26, 2019, President Weah, in his State of the Nation Address, told the Legislature that as part of the government’s intervention to the education sector, it purchased 78,000 modern chairs for public schools across the country in 2018 and renovated 33 public schools. In addition, the President also told the lawmakers that the government also constructed 15 science laboratories for public schools.
These reports given by the President, according to Rep. Dopoh, were captured in fiscal years 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.
However, Rep. Dopoh, in his communication, a copy of which is in the possession of FrontPage Africa, said there are statements and testimonies coming from across government officials that this is not the case.
Against this background, the River Gee County lawmaker wants the named officials to appear before plenary in open session to provide reports with documentary evidence supporting the President’s pronouncement as indicated in his speech.
Excerpt: “Honorable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, distinguished colleagues, because these are pivotal to strengthening the academic system of Liberia, and was financially reported to have been implemented in reference to the President’s 2019 Annual Message, and as indicated in the Outturns of National Budgets FY2019/2020 and FY2018/2019 Actuals of the 2020/2021 Fiscal Budget, I pray on the honorable body to invite the responsible ministries and agencies as mentioned herein before the President’s Annual Message”.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dopoh’s letter is expected to be placed before Plenary today, Thursday, for possible action.
It comes as President Weah is poised to address the joint Legislature in his annual message next week.