MONROVIA, August 13 (INA) -Several Lawmakers have stressed the need for the government to empower the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and community radio stations in the country.
Lawmakers Bhofal Chambers of Maryland County, George Mulbah of Bong County and Christian Chea of River Gee County said empowering LBS and the community radios will enable them effectively disseminate information to Liberians nationwide, especially as it relates to the Ebola Virus.
According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), the Representatives made the call Tuesday after a communication written by Grand Kru County Representative, Numene Bartekwa, requesting more support to LBS, was read in session.
They argued that limiting such request to the LBS was not in the best interest of the campaign against the Ebola virus since the state broadcaster does not cover the entire country.
Representatives Chambers, Chea and Mulbah have described as crucial the role of community radios in the effort to contain the Ebola virus as these radio stations are heard in districts, towns, clans and villages across Liberia.
They emphasized that it will be prudent were the National Ebola Task Force to spend portion of the US$20 million that was pledged by the government through President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and approved by the House of Representatives recently.
At the same time, Representative Chambers has challenged his colleagues to actively get involved in the fight against the Ebola disease by going to their respective constituencies to help spread anti-Ebola messages.
By: Hilary Vasco Wiagbe