Several domestic claimants who provided goods and services to the Government of Liberia (GOL) in the past and present are appealing to President George M. Weah to come to their aid by prevailing on the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel Tweah, to clear some, if not all, their debts, in a bid to save them and their businesses from total collapse.
According to the President of the claimants, Samuel Garpue, they are in pain and sorrow, as most of their colleagues are dying from frustration and heartbreak, disclosing that they have lost Cllr. Joseph Cornormia, a former Bong County Representative in the House of Representatives.
Garpue noted that, at present, eight of their members are seriously sick and lying in a number of hospitals and clinics. He said the sick members are in dire need of funds to settle their bills and take care of other pressing issues.
He explained that many of their businesses have broken down, with nowhere for them to turn for help.
Garpue continued that, during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the payment of domestic debts started but did not go far on ground that the claimants refused to grant the government a proposal to deduct a certain percentage from their payment.
He said during that period the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the government to settle its domestic arrears as the two international bodies were about to wipe out Liberia’s debt.
Meanwhile, Garpue, on behalf of the many domestic claimants, is again appealing to President Weah to intervene as soon as possible in ensuring that the Finance Ministry pays their debts, so that they, too, can be able to pay their taxes, children’s tuition and take care of other activities.
In a related development, President Garpue has ruled out joining the health workers, NTA and LWSC employees, and AFL veterans and widows in getting on the streets, holding placards.
According to Garpue, they are professionals and technicians, but observed that they are truly suffering.