MONROVIA, March 4 (LINA) - Acting Information Minister Isaac Jackson says government is diligently working to make available US$3million to the University of Liberia (UL) to enable it settle arrears and complete the past semester that was interrupted by the Ebola crisis.

Making the disclosure at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press
conference held in Monrovia on Wednesday, Minister Jackson said government is expected to provide this money on or before Friday, March 6.

He said this effort by government was prompted by a recent request for US$15.1 million made by authorities of the University to government for the resumption of academic activities.

It can be recalled that in 2014 normal academic activities were suspended by government as a result of the Ebola outbreak that claimed the lives of thousands of Liberians.

With over 95 percent reduction in the transmission of the disease in Liberia, the government announced the resumption of normal academic activities, but the University of Liberia has cited funding shortfall as a major reason why it has not yet resumed classes.

Jackson also disclosed that the UL in 2013 and 2014 received a total of US$10.3 million, while US$10 million was appropriated for fiscal year 2014/2015.

Meanwhile, Jackson has said claims by the former UL Vice President for Fiscal Affairs and Finance Wilson Tarpeh that government is refusing to fund the UL because of his affiliation with an opposition political party is untrue and should not be taken seriously.