MONROVIA: Courts and investigations conducted are a two-edge sword: the justice they serve is not only to convict and punish culprits; it is also to vindicate and free the innocent. This misunderstanding of this fact has belied protracted delays to establish a war and economic crimes court which Liberia’s opposition activities crave for but often forestall and reject when in power. As the establishment of this important court was ignored in the last 15 years or so, and a new political administration takes over in hours, there are renewed calls echoing on the horizon. This time it comes from a former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Senator Nathaniel McGill of Margibi County, is making public statements demanding the urgent establishment of the court, as The Analyst reports.
Margibi County Senator Nathaniel McGill says he still remains firm on his calls for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court for Liberia that will not only prosecute people for crimes they may have committed but also to vindicate people who have been wrongly accused.
In an interview with journalists during the week, the Margibi County Senator said as a victim of false accusations of corruption, he would work with civil society organizations to ensure the establishment of the court to help to vindicate him and others or prosecute them if found guilty.
“People accused me and many others every day largely based on perceptions,” the former Chief of Office Staff of President Weah lamented. “I want an economic crimes court, including the war crime court. I will work with civil society to ensure that is done. We need to come up with recommendations on the TRC document.”
He also said he and other members of the opposition bloc don’t intent to tear down the country while they are in opposition. “We will be a responsible opposition but we will not sit on the fence in holding the government’s feet to the fire to deliver on its promises.”
Vision for education
As chairman on the Senate Education Committee, Senator McGill said his greater priority would be to improve education in Liberia and will do so by working with stakeholders in the sector in the exercise of his oversight responsibility.
To achieve his goals, he has promised to begin to engage the National Teachers Association, schools and the Ministry of education to ensure that academic infrastructure are up to standard and the facilities are conducive for learning.
He also promised to work with the government to ensure that private schools are subsidized while making public schools free and attractive for all parents who are unable to send their kids private schools.
He also promised to work with his colleagues in the Senate to improve the free education bill that is currently before the senate for concurrence, by adding to it the need to subsidize private schools across the country.
Before his election, Senator McGill demonstrated extreme passion for young Liberians’ educational well-being raising millions of Liberian Dollars that was committed to offer free education and pay tuition for indigent students particularly in the Central and Southern regions of Liberia.
Incidentally, the leadership of the Senate has put forth Mr. McGill for Senate Chairperson on Education.
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