They’re criminals

Liberia’s Minister of State for Presidential describes people who are reportedly using his name to exhort money from job seekers as criminals tapping on his hard earned characters.

Minister Nathaniel McGill told this paper Monday, May 14, at his Congo Town residence that the practice is dangerous in these contemporary time and age. He says this is totally unacceptable and those that are engaged in such practice are criminals desperate to survive at the expense of his connection with President George Weah.

“In fact, some of them sent a SMS text to someone who is already minister that I’m seeking his resume’ so that the President can appoint them. How possible can that be when that person is already working as minister for one of the ministries,” he asked.

He discloses that the National Security Agency and the Liberia National Police are already investigating the matter and someone has already being arrested, but the bulk are still out there.

“I don’t have job to give anyone; only the President can appoint. What I can at times the President can ask for my recommendation. It is embarrassing for people to be using my name to extort money from people in the name of giving them jobs, that far from me. I enjoy the confidence of the President and the good thing is the President knows me well,” he asserts.

Commenting about his loan deal with the Liberia Bank for Development and Investment, McGill points out that he’s proud to be a cabinet minister, who sought loan to secure a house for himself and his family.

“My salary cannot afford me a house now and as minister, I need home for my family and me and the best option is to secure a loan from the bank to buy a house. It would have been criminal if I had stolen money from the government, nothing is wrong with it, it is clean deal. I also want to encourage Liberians and officials to make use of the banking sector in securing loans.”

He notes that President Weah has drastically cut officials’ salaries and allowances, saying, “The highest paid minister or head of agency of government is US$7,800. We also announced 10 percent salary cut as announced by the President during his Annual Message and so, we are earning less money than past officials of government,” he argues.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Editing by Jonathan Browne