There are bellowing noise sprouting out from the corridor of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA). The noise is coming from dozens of retirees, whose benefits are said to be deliberately held hostage by the Ministry of Finance for no obvious reason.
The sum total of these benefits in the tone of US$1 million, was graciously awarded by the Government of Norway in 2018, to sixty-four employees, who qualified for retirement. The money aimed at creating social and economic comfort zones for the retired employees for their dedicated services to Liberia at the level of the FDA.
It is reported that only half of the amount was used to settle 32 individuals, leaving the rest to languish in perpetual hell. It’s also reported that most of these individuals have died as a result of frustration.
The gesture of the Norwegian Government certainly proved, not only her maturity as far as good governance system is concerned, it praticalized an adage that says: “Government is Next to God.”
Indeed, any government that is next to God will make its presence known by being people-centered, promoters of people’s possibilities, and caring for its citizens against poverty, and others social and political ills.
In their SOS (Save Our Souls) call to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the employees say: “Mr. President, we are frustrated, disgruntled, economically, and socially dislodged given the deliberate maltreatment we are receiving from the government through the Ministry of Finance.
“We need your immediate intervention to save our souls, and give us a new birth, because we can no more bear this painful and unbearable situation. Your immediate intervention, Mr. President, will prove that you’re truly a God sent leader to rescue the people of Liberia from social, political and economic degradation.
It is against this background that we urge the president to listen to the cries of these frustrated, and disgruntled retirees, and restore their hopes and dignity once again.
Although, the FDA management is reported to have frantically exerted all efforts on behalf of these retirees to have the Ministry of Finance release their retirement benefits graciously provided by a foreign partner, nothing has been done about the situation.
We meanwhile, call on Pres. Boakia to extend to these frustrated people his rescue hand and mind, and let them be able to set bread on their own tables, and once again, feel a sense of belonging in the society.