As the discussion of the Liberian Legislature receiving $US15K in the wake of high increase of COVID-19 in the country continue, the plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its Statutory Committee on Health to cite Health Minister, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah to clarify her recent assertion made against the Legislature relating to the 15K received by Lawmakers.
Dr. Jallah earlier stated that the purpose of the 15k was not defined, something that prompted her refusal of Sen. Darius Dillon’s $7.5K to the Montserrado County health team.
The action of the Senate’s Plenary was based on a communication written by River Gee County Senator Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie.
The committee is expected to report two weeks after the Independence break.
It can be recalled that Senators of the Liberian Senate received US$15,000 each through budgetary allocation for Legislative engagement, for which Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darrius Dillon donated USD$ 7,500 to the Montserrado County Health Team in support of the fight against COVID-19.
Upon hearing about the donation, the Health Minister Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah wrote the Head of the Montserrado County Health Team, Dr. Yatta Wapoe to return the 15,000 USD donation by Senator Abraham Darrius Dillon.
The amount has since been returned to the office of the Senator Dillon.
The Health Minister in the communication informed Dr. Yatta Wapoe that in the Incident Management System (IMS) meeting, held on Saturday, June 19, 2021, IMS appreciates Sen. Dillon’s kind gesture, but cannot accept such donation from the Senator or any other Legislator at a time of ongoing polemic and public outcry concerning the source and exact purpose of the funds.
The Health Minister also in her communication said that the IMS noted that she received donations from private individuals and organizations, in this case, the IMS is cautious of the sources of the resources amidst its challenges, emphasizing that “Kindly return to the Senator said donation until further clarification”.
However, the MOH boss’s letter to Sen Dillon concluded that the IMS looks forward to the supplementary budgetary allocation from the Honorable Legislature to enhance her fight against the deadly disease.
