A not-for-profit organization, Artgeo Foundation, has accused Gbarpolu County’s district #3 Representative, Joseph Mathews, of duping and confiscating a consignment of medical supplies donated by its international partner for struggling citizens in Liberia.
The US-based Vitamin Angles donated the huge medical supplies to the local foundation for onward distribution to citizens of Gbarpolu county.
The Executive Director of Artgeo Foundation told Hot Pepper’s reporter that the consignment of medical supplies was donated to his organization through a proposal requesting the US group’s intervention to save lives in Liberia.
Arthur Kortor said, due to the need of the drugs, he pleaded with Gbarpolu County’s district #3 Representative, Joseph Matthews, to use his duty-free privilege to release the boxes of drugs from the Freeport of Monrovia.
He told reporters that it is regrettable that since the materials were released the Gbarpolu lawmaker has refused to present the drugs to the local organization, despite a series of engagements, for distribution to the targeted beneficiaries in Gbarpolu County.
Arthur Kortor said the refusal of the lawmaker to turn-over the medical supplies has brought serious embarrassment and bad blood between his US partners and his foundation. He is therefore calling on the Gbarpolu County Legislative Caucus to prevail on Representative Matthews to release the drugs for onward distribution to the locals.
When contacted by the Hot Pepper reporter, Representative Joseph Matthews admitted to clearing the huge consignment of medicines but attributed the delay to the failure of the local NGO to take delivery of the materials.
Documents in the possession of the Hot Pepper revealed that Vitamin Angers donated a total of 10,500 doses of Vitamin A (100,000IU), which was intended to benefit 10, 500 children between 6—11 months, 12,000 doses of Vitamin A (200,000IU), to benefit 6, 000 children between the ages of 12—59 months, 12, 000 doses Albendazole 400mg chewable tablets, which was to benefit 6, 000 children 12—59 months and 198 doses of multivitamins, intended to benefit 1,100 pregnant women. Investigation continues.