Gov’t Not Owing

MONROVIA-The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Youth and Sport has condemned the lawlessness from Workers of Bridges and Water Way in New Kru Town and Virginia Communities that they do not owe any workers of Bridge and Water Way.

The statement was made following the recent incident from workers of Bridge and Water Way on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, in New Kru Town and Virginia Communities to protest against the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Youth and Sport for not receiving their salary from Bridge and Water Way over past months.

Speaking during the regular Thursday Press briefing at the Ministry of Information Cultural Affairs and Tourism August 11, 2022, Minister D. Zeogar Wilson disclosed that in March 16, 2021 the Government of Liberia signed an MOU with the representatives of the Bridge and Water Way to pay those workers that were working during former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Administration.

Minister Wilson mentioned that an MOU was signed for the Government of Liberia to pay the total in arrear of two Hundred Million United State Dollars to all workers of Bridge and Water Way.

According to him, under the MOU, it was identified through the investigation that there were some unauthorized workers put on the project without the approval of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

He further narrated that during the investigation, they concluded that only those individuals that were authorized on the project during former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration in 2018 will stay on the project and receive a salary.

However, Minister Wilson narrated that there was an agreement between the coordinator and the Ministry of Youth and Sport along with the Ministry of Finance to pay those unauthorized workers of Bridge and Water Way.

According to him, the workers of Bridge and Water Way are saying that the Government of Liberia is operating a project that the MOU explained that we will consider the old workers.

He further disclosed that the Government of Liberia is running two projects, the realized project sponsored by the World Bank in partnership with the Government of Liberia.

In addition, the project will benefit 19 thousand citizens in greater Monrovia, and this project is in 150 communities in Liberia.

According to him, the Ministry of Youth and Sport has set criteria for those that are going to benefit from the project.

He outlined that before you can benefit from this project you should be a citizen of Liberia, living in the community, you should be 18-yr and above, such person should have a citizen identification card, and lastly, should have a poverty condition.

He noted, “ if you are from Bridge and Water Way no matter which communities you live in, real life is everywhere in greater Monrovia.

Alphonso Toweh

Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets  including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and  did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters 
 He holds first  MA with honors in International  Relations and a  candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict  Resolution from the University of Liberia.