MONROVIA. September 10 (LINA) - Montserrado County Representative Edwin Melvin Snowe has described as “reckless and irresponsible” criticisms by some lawmakers that the government has failed in the fight against the Ebola virus.
Snowe noted that contrary to the criticisms, the government is making “tremendous efforts” as evidenced by the setting up of the Ebola testing and treatment center on the ELWA compound, and current initiatives to open new centers at the Island Clinic in Duala and the old Defense Ministry in Congo Town, among others.
According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), Snowe told Legislative reporters Tuesday that it was about time that lawmakers understand that they are part of the government, and as such it is incumbent upon them to work as a unit with the Executive and Judicial Branches to combat the virus.
“The issue of Ebola is serious and is taking away the lives of our people, and until the three branches of government work together to fight against the disease it will not be eradicated from the country,” he warned.
He reminded his colleagues that the Liberian people would blame all of them in the event efforts to kick the virus out of Liberia do not bear fruits, urging them to stop shifting blame and honestly get involved in the fight against the deadly disease.
Snowe, however, indicated that there are some challenges in containing the disease, including delays in picking up bodies and the dissemination of information.
He said it was therefore unfair for lawmakers and other politicians to use the situation to criticize government only to gain political relevance to the detriment of the Liberian people.
The District #6 Representative also pointed out that the challenges being faced in the fight against the virus is not about money, but rather capacity, adding that government is doing everything possible to address the issue.
LINA HVW/TSS/PTK