By Garmah Lomoh|LPR News, Monrovia
An investigation conducted by Liberia Public Radio has gathered that the Bureau of vital statistics and Health under the Ministry of Health has been charging citizens 30 United States Dollars to obtain a birth certificate in the midst of coronavirus pandemic.
Normally adult Liberians pay LRD$500.00 (US$2.50) for birth certificate
Our undercover reporter who went early Monday morning July 13 at the premises of the institution saw score of citizens seen with forms and some with their birth certificate secretely printed by some workers of the institution above the regular price to obtain birth certificate.
James Mani worker at the printing section of the institution told the told our reporter that they are doing express at the facility for 30 United States Dollars and they work three times in the week every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
People between ages zero to 13 are to obtain the birth certificate free of charge while from 14 above pay LRD$500.00 (US$2.50) but since coronavirus pandemic vital statistics it has become a money area to exploit the already suffering massive.
Several persons who had gone to get birth certificate were seen complaining about the high price been charged at the government owned facility.
Meanwhile, Mr. Prince Momolu head of the vital statistics and Heath under the Ministry of Health said he is aware that the facility is open to the public every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but charging 30 United States dollars for birth certificate is not to his knowledge.
Mr. Momolu in a telephone conversation said, there are lot of unscrupulous individuals who involved doping people to satisfy their own selfish gain.
The vital statistics and Heath boss denied James Mani working with his institution but called on citizens to stop doing what he called “corner size” business and follow the proper channels in order to be treated fairly.
He added that as per the guideline from the Ministry of Health, they were to issue birth certificate on people that have emergency issue.
The vital statistics Bureau is responsible for issuing both birth and death certificates to individual Liberians.
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