Dr. Kollie meets with EU delegation

Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister, Dr. James F. Kollie, has met with EU delegation visiting Liberia and underscored the need for Liberia’s partners to assist the country meet the post-Ebolachallenges.

In a meeting with a six-man visiting European Union delegation in Monrovia Wednesday, 22October Dr. Kollie said while the country grapples with the scourge of the deadly Ebolavirus disease, there are lots of challenges in the areas of health, education, agriculture and the economy. He said as the result of the crisis, farmers were not able to plant their seeds and have subsequently used them to meet the nutritional needs of their families, something that poses tremendous burden on the government food security program.

He said in the health sector there is a dire need to restore basic health services throughout the country so that the system can be in a better position to respond adequately to the health needs of Liberians.  According to a Finance Ministry release, Dr. Kollie said with the erection of EbolaTreatment Centers across the country, it was important for linkages with these centers in complementing the efforts of existing health facilities.

On the economic front, the acting Minister said most companies especially those in the construction industry have either slowed or shut down operations, thereby effecting contractual workers while schools are closed, leaving teachers, other r than those on government payroll, without pay. The EU head of delegation, Agostino Miozzo said the delegation was in the country as part of visits to the three countries worst hit by Ebolato understand their other needs apart from humanitarian concerns.

Mr. Miozzo said it was welcome development from the ETUs regarding the number of cases but warned against painting a wrong picture which would invite the CNN effects where attention would be shifted from Liberia and Ebolaunto something else when the crisis was not fully under control.

The visiting EU delegation also expressed the need for greater efforts in improving the systems of accountability, Public-Private Collaboration and the execution of the EbolaTrust fund. The EU delegation is in the country to hold consultations with the government and stakeholders on how the 28-Member European Union could assist Liberia in its fight against Ebola.