By Mark N. Mengonfia mmenginfia@gmail.com
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia- Liberian President, George N. Weah apparently doesn’t believe what he read about reports relating to how the COVID-19 food distribution has been going on, amid a serious controversy.
When the Liberian President took the stance on January 25, 2021 to present to the legislature what his government has done during the past period under review, the Liberian President touched many developmental achievements he and his deputies have made.
Despite the controversy surrounding the COVID-19 food stimulus package and claims by the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo Information Service (LIGIS) that the UN World Food Program (WFP) was responsible for the limited scale of the distribution, the WFP in md-November 2020 announced continuation of distribution in Todee, Montserrado County.
WFP, which is in direct control of the US$25 million food package funded by the Liberian government, is said to have all the statistical assessment on the vulnerable household to benefit but LIGIS director, Professor Francis Wreh said the ball was in its court.
Before his transfer, former Commerce Minister Wilson Tarpeh informed the media that only four of the 17 districts in Montserrado County has been served the COVID-19 food stimulus package and that it was the WFP that was managing the millions set aside for the food distribution.
In his State of the Nation address to the joint session of the Legislature, President Weah also spoke of the level of roads constructed, a vision to link all the counties through pave roads, funding provided to health care providers and teachers of private institutions to help them get on their footings during the COVID-19.
The President didn’t forget about the provision of WASSC fees for private and public learning institutions in Liberia and as will as tuition free education. Not only that, but the Liberian leader also praised all of Liberia’s partners for the support.
One thing that caught the attention of the guest who have gone for the 4th SONA was when President Weah reached the page to report on his much talked about and controversial COVID-19 food stimulus package and gains made in the distribution to the 15 counties of Liberia, he could not hold back his laughter.
The CDC Standard Bearer, who from his continence appeared not very sure of what was placed on the sheet he read from, laughed and said they will look into it.
The President told the gathering that 40% of the food distribution has been completed in 10 counties of Liberia, although he was not very show of the statistics provided to him something which apparently made him to bust out and laughed to the disbelieve of the guests at the program.
It can be recalled that last year, President George M Weah through a Legislative approval should have completed the distribution of food items to underprivileged Liberians.
The previous request from the President prioritized four counties affected by the COVID-19 – Montserrado County the center of the Virus in Liberia, Margibi, Nimba and Grand Kru ,but the list of counties was later amended by the legislature to include all 15 counties. The Legislature back than believed that it was necessary to include all fifteen counties since in fact the country was under a lockdown, making almost every Liberian vulnerable to the virus.
The attached cost of the food stimulus distribution was USD$25 million from government coffers and US$10 from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), if the government meets the needed requirement laid down by the IMF.
This distribution, which should have been provided to Liberians since last year’s lockdown, is still being provided and is even yet to be completed. President addressing the legislature said the food distribution is expected to come to an end this March at which time it has reached the remaining five counties of Liberia.