Liberian Laws are sickening and absolutely inapplicable. One faithful example is the act set aside for SPECIAL INCENTIVES FOR RURAL TEACHERS AND HEALTH WORKERS.
The constitution of Liberia requires the national government to manage the resources of the state in a way as would ensure the progressive participation of citizens in the wealth of the nation;
Article 59a) of the constitution also obligated the national Legislature to enact laws promoting national unification and the encouragement of all citizens to participate in government;
WHEREAS, Liberia being a developing country endured many years of decline, mainly in the educational and health sectors of the country, as a result, intermittent civil and political insecurities.
The lack of special incentives for rural teachers and health workers has exacerbated the incidence of rural-urban migration by this essential category of civil servants and,in some cases,has created a nonchalant attitude on the part of those neglected workers who resides in the rural environment,thus creating a negative multiplier effects in both urban and rural settings.
I personally think Liberia more than ever,needs to accelerate its pace of development particularly, in the education and health sectors of the country;and ,in consideration of the fact that decentralized development of such nature can become a reality only when a necessary enabling environment is created to attract professional including teachers and health workers to other parts of the country.
Article 8 of the Liberian constitution also states that the Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions and towards promoting the safety and health of its citizens;
Furthermore, it is enacted by both houses of the legislature ,that immediately upon the passage of this act, all civil servants working in the Ministries of Education and Health & Social Welfare with assignments in rural Liberia shall be entitled to special incentives to serve as an impetus for the decentralization of essential services, in the areas of education and health, to rural dwellers.
Since the passage into law of this faithful Act back in 2009 under the administration of then president, Madame Sirleaf, I’ve yarn to see the application of the law but to no avail.
It’s over 9 years now, the health workers and instructors in the rural counties are yet to experience the effects of this law. Our legislature is a complete gradually becoming a laughing stock yet on a daily basis they are asking for our votes and supports.
Can you also imagine that the Rural Incentives Package for Education and Health Workers according to said documents includes:
1) School fees for children of workers who reside with their parents;
2) Housing Allowance;
3) Healthcare;
4) Transportation;
5) Special comfort allowance
Now, How could one expect those workers to exercise their functional duties properly if they are not directly feeling the impact of our government?
It is now time that President George M. Weah, his cabinet ministers, and the joint Legislature critically peruse all those necessary documents dating back in the years Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf served as president, and also strive to find reasonable solutions for our health workers and instructors in the rural-urban areas.
#This #must #stop
I write for my people
Isaac-Tom G. Seeblee Jr.
Student @ African Methodist Episcopal University, Liberia
#Advocate
#Activist
