By: S. Winston Blyden

IPNews-Monrovia: Bomi County District N0. 2 Representative, Edwin Snowe, has warned the government of Liberia to respect Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor as the second highest political leader in country.

Representative Snowe stated that the office of the Vice President is elective office equally as the office of the President, which deserves equal respect.

“Whether we like it or not, the Vice President office has to be respected, Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor was equally elected as President George Manneh Weah, and those disrespecting he office must be  dealt with.” Rep. Snowe stressed.

Representative Snowe recalled recent comments attributed to Deputy Minister of Finance and Development Planning for Budget and Expenditure, Samora Wolokollie, concerning the budget of the vice president office as unfortunate and called on him desist from further comments and treat the office of the vice president with all respect and dignity.

It can be recalled that Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor wrote the Liberian Senate giving reason for her recent boycott of the formal  program marking the opening of the Third Session of the 54^th Legislature.

In her letter, Vice president Howard-Taylor stated:

“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.”

According to the Liberia vice president, last year, she had the privilege to meet with members of the Liberian Senate to inform them of the difficulties she was undergoing with some members of the Executive branch in relations to budgetary support for her office and the need for their intervention.

Vice President Taylor said it was agreed upon that the Liberian Senate would intervene and that things would get better but unfortunately, she has patiently waited without a 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,” she decried

The letter read further: “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.”

She continued: “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 3^rd Session of the 54^th National Legislature 2020; until these constraints are attended to.”

She then hoped that “this situation will claim the Senate’s immediate attention and intervention, as she was duly voted into this office and should be empowered to perform her duties as other officials and offices which are being regularly supported; and if such a situation continues to exists, it is her responsibility to inform the Liberian Senate.”

It can be recalled that during the opening session of the Legislature Monday, the Vice President was conspicuously absent from the program, something that raised concern.

However, the President ProTempore of the Senate, Senator Albert Chie said the Vice President was absent because of an emergency she had.