Africa-Press – Liberia. Montserrado County District # 8 Representative Acarous Moses Gray has alarmed over the influx of illicit drugs and the proliferation of ghettoes in Liberia, with a call on members of the Liberian Senate to swiftly act by concurring with their colleagues from the House of Representatives in making the unwholesome act a non-bailable offense in the post-conflict nation.
Representative Gray, who is the Chairman of the House’s Committee on Executive, is a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the governing Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC).
According to him, the combat against the sale of dangerous substances and the increase in the number of ghettoes, particularly in Monrovia remains a challenge.
He made these comments when he delivered the keynote address at a program marking the induction of the newly elected officials of the student council government of the Monrovia Demonstration School.
Representative Gray is a product of the institution.
He observed that most young Liberians are turning into bad citizens as a result of the situation.
He urged members of the Liberian Senate not to hesitate in concurring with their colleagues from the House of Representatives for tougher punishments against those trading and abusing illicit drugs in the post-conflict nation.
Members of the House have already passed a law seeking to make the trading of drugs a non-bailable offense in Liberia.
“Too many of our young people are going astray because of too many ghettoes and drugs (illicit). As Co-Sponsor of the drug law, I ask the Liberian Senate to concur with the House of Representatives to make the drugs law non bailable. We expect the Liberian Senate to concur in the soonest time so most of our young people cannot go astray”.
He said the future of young Liberians would be jeopardized if the combat against illicit drugs is not taken seriously in the nation.
Representative Gray noted that despite the current situation, Liberian parents should also get involved.
He said parents should instill what he called” moral cultural discipline” in their children if they must have good upbringing to be successful in the future
He maintained that parents and guardians should make it their responsibility to work with school authorities in training and disciplining their children for a better tomorrow.
Commending the police
Representative Gray commended members of the Liberia National Police (LNP) for the launch of its latest operations to demolish ghettoes in Monrovia and other parts adjacent.
He stated that though the move may not totally eradicate the influx and trading of narcotics and other dangerous substances in Liberia, it will curtail the unwholesome act.
He used the occasion to commend President George Manneh Weah for his continuous support towards the improvement of the country’s educational system.
According to him, the tuition free education being provided by the government for students at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels worth commendation
Students’ loan program on hold?
Representative Gray further vowed to ensure that Education Minister Dr. Ansu Sonii is summoned to give reasons why the students’ loan program enshrined in the country’s new education law is not being implemented in its totality.
He said though free tuition programs are being implemented by government, the denial of students’ education loan is uncalled for and as such, the Minister should clearly state how students from both private and public institutions would benefit from the loan.
He, however, pledged his unflinching support towards ensuring increment in budgetary allotment to his alma mater to help address the numerous challenges.
Representative Gray provided L$100,000 and pledged additional L$100,000 to be given at the end of the month, provision of 30 scholarships, 15 bags of rice on a monthly basis and the rehabilitation of the school’s auditorium, among others
He noted that government cannot do all alone and as such, those who are in the position to help should do so to help alleviate some of the burdens being faced with by students and school authorities
He used the occasion to urge the students to take their lessons seriously if they must be successful in the future.
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