Sen. Lawrence Bemoans Lack of Plan, National Leadership – In COVID-19 Fight

MONROVIA – As Liberians eagerly await the much-heralded State of Emergency COVID-19 stimulus package approved by the national legislature that is expected to benefit all within the 15 political subdivisions of the country; and as the citizens question the rationale of recent government pronouncement that the stimulus package would only target vulnerable populations, the political leader of the opposition Liberty Party, Grand Bassa County Senator Nyongblee Karngar-Lawrence, says the country appears to be leaderless in the wake of these mounting concerns.

In a scathing social media lamentation issued last evening to President George M. Weah entitled: “A Wake-Up Call!” Senator Lawrence bemoaned the fact that although the legislature recently signed a Joint Resolution granting the President a mandate to execute plans of the State of Emergency, nothing much has been done.

“Mr. President, the counties have not received any support to fight the virus, no quarantine centers, no treatment centers, no contact tracers, no motivation for health workers and securities. One month later, Mr. President, where is the plan? And this is an emergency!” Senator Lawrence blasted.

“Mr. President, when a State of Emergency is declared for health reasons, you have to prepare the health sector including plans to motivate and keep health workers safe. We need a recast budget to reflect the new priorities under the health emergency. One month later, we are still awaiting that budget for our legislative consideration. And this is an emergency!” the outspoken singular female senator lamented.

“Also Mr President, when you declare the existence of curfew, you shut down the time for many to earn livelihood. Especially affected are penpan boys, kehkeh drivers, marketers, money changers, video clubs operators, street sellers, lappa be door owners, operators and users, taxi drivers, car loaders, Zogos , car washers, phone chargers; the means of survival of these people have been seriously slashed if not altogether removed. The burden is now upon us to give them food to stay home while we carry on contact tracing, in a timeframe to track the coronavirus. This was why we approved twenty-five million United States Dollars! It’s almost a month, and there is no plan to feed our people. And this is an emergency!” Sen. Lawrence stated.

“Mr. President, counties boarders are shutdown. It means rural activities are minimized especially for farmers and market-day vendors. Many of those areas are without health facilities and transportation has been shut down. There are no ambulances and mobile clinics. One month later, we are still asking: What is the plan? And this is an emergency!” she continued, noting that the counties have not received any support to fight the virus, no quarantine centers, no treatment centers, no contact tracers, no motivation for health workers and securities.

“We signed a Joint Resolution to give you the mandate. Our people are stuck! We are stuck! Where are the plans? Our country cannot seem so leaderless especially in an emergency! We have to move on, move forward and fight this virus as a country. Please, Mr. President, get to work. Lead, and if you need help, ask for it! Give us a plan to work with after all, this is an emergency!” moaned Senator Lawrence.