The Liberian legislature has approved the state of emergency nearly 10 days after it declared by President George Weah.
President Gorge Manneh Weah has earlier declared a 21 day state of Emergency but in their modification, the legislature extended it to 60 days –infusing several other things.
It also called for an emergency relief fund which was contained in the state of emergency package president by president weah to be funded through voluntary private donation, contrary to speculation that every working person in Liberia is to receive a 25% salary cut.
The legislative joint resolution further calls for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Pro-Tempore of the Senate to set up committees to oversee food and water supply.
The resolution at the same time calls for prioritizing the health sector in all fifteen counties and a President’s Tax Policy and Administration Stimulus Program.
No plan to cut 25% salary from citizens
In an interview with legislative reporters, senate Pro-Tempore, Albert Chie, said there was no proposal from the President seeking 25% reduction of salary for the private and public sectors.
He clarified that it was a suggestion from a Senator, but was not considered.
“There are many issues that will be dealt with in the recast budget, but there is no plan that government will be able to pay civil servants for two months upfront but what I can guarantee is that people salary will be paid regularly and on time during these period of stay home,” Pro-tempore Chie was quoted as saying.
On Wednesday April 15, 2020 some members of the both houses described President George Weah’s stimulus package as “ambitious” plan for the state of emergency- pointing out the lack of of transparency and accountability .
“If we will have to sign a resolution that I know will only benefit the president Weah and his likes because don’t know how the money will be used”, Montserrado District#10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah suggested.
President Weah stimulus package presented to the lawmakers include a US$25 million to support food distribution to households in designated affected counties for the period of 60 days, an electricity and water support during Stay-at-Home Program; Market Women and Small Informal Petty Traders Bank Loan Program, a government domestic debt program and a President’s Tax Policy and Administration Stimulus Program.
According to his Mr. Weah plan, the World Bank has committed US$15 million to help the government fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added that the bank has already made available US$1.5 million to help the government to start the fight against the coronavirus while they are working on making available in total US$6 million that is expected to be in the country within few days.
