IPNews-Monrovia: Suspicions remain high in Monrovia as Monday, January 27, 2020, draws nearer for president George Manneh Weah, to meet one of his constitutional obligation of presenting the government annual national agenda and plans to the national Legislature comprising both the House of Representatives and the House of Senate in a joint session as the Joint chambers of the Capital Building in Monrovia.

Amidst this serious anticipated national convocation, Liberia’s Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, has hinted that she might not attend the annual message of President George Manneh Weah, to the 54th Legislature as she has no fuel, couple with other essential necessities as vice president of the Republic of Liberia.

It may be recalled, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor on Monday, January 13, 2020, boycotted the first day opening of third session of the 54th Legislature in demand of 24 months salary and benefits, including the lack of logistical supports and fuel and lubricant for her vehicles.

 According to unimpeccable sources close to the Vice President Taylor told IPNews that the Liberian Vice President  could not attend the formal opening of the due to the refusal of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to make her 24th month salaries and other benefits, including the disbursement of funds for the procurement of  fuel and lubricant for the Vice President office (Generator, escort and other personal vehicles).

 It may be recalled, since their ascendancy to the two highest offices of the land in 2018, cordiality between the Liberian Presidency and that of the Vice Presidency has been strained or sour due to several internal and political factors.

The infighting captured the attention of the Liberian Council of Churches and other distinguished Liberian cleric to mediate in the standoff.

It looks like a recent leaked audio recording, the National Chairman of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Mulbah Morlu, in which he narrated how President George Manneh Weah and Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill had conspired to have Vice President Taylor replace with National Port Authority Managing Director, Bill Twehway, one of the closest ally to President, may have gotten the row unto another dimension.

The reported move by the Vice President not to attend Monday’s formal opening of the Legislature and plans suggesting that she might not also attend the annual message of the President next Monday, sends a message of serious discontent between the two leaders of the country rushed into serious diplomatic row with its neighbor over their refusal to extradite president Weah most critic Henry Costa.

As these rumors linger, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has written the Liberian Senate, Pro Tempore Albert Chie, outlining why she stayed away from last Monday’s opening of the 54^th Legislature. Get ful text of the VP letter to the Liberian Senate.

“For Public Consumption”

This is the Content of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s Letter to Senate Pro-Temp Albert Chea.

I avail myself of this opportunity to present my compliments and best wishes for a prosperous 2020 to you and Members of the Liberian Senate. It is my prayer that the New Year 2020 will bring a fresh breath of courage and strength to the life blood of the 54th Legislature which will enable a better environment for service to our people and Nation, keeping in mind that PEACE is a child of FAIRNESS and EQUITY at all levels.

Honorable President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate, I am constrained to write this letter to inform you of the continuing and seemingly intentional circumstances surrounding financial obligations due in support of my duties as Vice President of the Republic and President of the Liberian Senate. Last year, I had the privilege to meet with members of the Liberian Senate to inform them of the difficulties I was undergoing with some members of the Executive Branch; as it related to budgetary support for my office and the need for their intervention. It was agreed that they would intervene and that things would get better. Unfortunately, I have patiently waited without any word, and the situation has since not improved. I am saddened to inform you, as elders of our Nation, that the situation remains that bills due my office from 2018-2019 are still not paid and the operational expenses which I needed for the effective running or functioning of my office (Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia), during 2018 – 2019 and 2019 – 2020 budget years have not been paid.

Honorable President Pro-Tempore and Members of the Liberian Senate, this continued situation has left me without the proper security arrangements for my safe movements and without the ability to provide necessities for my Office. Currently, the security vehicles, including 2 bullet proof vehicles, needed for my movements have still not been provided to my detail. As a result, I have been unable to leave my home over the past 3 weeks. I am therefore constrained to inform this Honorable body that due to the constraints described, I am unable to attend to my duties during this opening of the 3rd Session of the 54Th National Legislature 2020; until these constraints are attended to.

It is my prayer that this situation will claim your immediate attention and intervention, as I was duly voted into this office and should be empowered to perform my duties as other officials and offices which are being regularly supported; and if such a situation continues to exists, it is my responsibility to inform the Liberian Senate. Please find attached a summary of the financial records appertaining to this lingering yet critical situation for your information.