spot_imgspot_img
Wednesday, October 9, 2024

HOUSE CITES EDUCATION MINISTRY, BRIDGE LIBERIA

Date:

LIBERIA – The Plenary of the House of Representatives has invited the Minister of Education and the Management of Bridge Liberia to appear before the body on Tuesday, November 1.

The Plenary’s decision followed a communication from Montserrado County District#9 Representative Frank Saah Foko.

In his communication to Plenary on Tuesday, Rep. Foko stated that Bridge International Academies, an educational, profit-making company, continues to defraud the Liberian Government through thousands if not millions of United States Dollars through duty-free and other privileges.

He further explained that one of the company’s annual reports in his possession saw them raise around six million USD from donors and being in partnership with Liberia and Liberians can barely see what these monies go towards as monies collected are not in Liberian banks but outside adding that in the last three years, Bridge Liberia has moved to three new offices like squatters and working conditions are very unfavorable.

“There is barely a vehicle they own to their name, lest you say a bike for their rural workers. This is a scam Hon. Speaker and colleagues”. He stated in his communication.

The Montserrado County lawmaker accused the company of having one of the worst labour practices on record.

He said in 2020, the company laid off seventeen staff on the grounds of “Force Merger”, but as per the law, according to him, such layoff when effected, upon recruiting for the same position, the laid off staff should be given first preference, this law, as many others, was disregarded by Bridge, and the matter is still on the docket at the Labor Ministry.

Recently, Rep. Foko said, Bridge continued their usual pattern and layoff over fifteen Liberians and the staff were never warned or suspended but dismissed arbitrarily with matters languishing at the Labor Ministry at the moment.

The Montserrado County lawmaker further explained that Bridge Liberia has changed its name globally from Bridge International to New Globe without having those changes affect Liberian books which in his mind has got criminal intent and at the same time, they have been receiving duty-free privileges at the free port of Liberia for years, claiming to be non-profit which is grossly misleading.

“What is even more regrettable Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues is that a recent interview by a Principal of a Bridge sponsored school, Wilis Town Public School in Montserrado decries situation at her school: leaking roof, limited supplies and inadequate teaching materials etc” Rep. Foko stated.

According to the Montserrado lawmaker, if this is happening right within Montserrado County, it worries him about Bridge’s operations with schools in Maryland, Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh, Lofa and other hard-to-reach places.

Following the reading of the communication, Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative, Thomas Goshua, made a motion, which was subsequently endorsed by the plenary, that Bridge appears before full plenary Tuesday, November 1, to address itself to the issues raised by Montserrado County District #9 Representative Foko. LINA

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

BOAKAI’S MISPLACED AMBITIONS AS LIBERIA BLEEDS AND THE PRESIDENT COURTS GLOBAL VANITY

Eight months into his presidency, Joseph Boakai’s administration is...

TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MPOX – STAY ALERT, STAY PROTECTED

As Liberia confronts the resurgence of Mpox, the confirmation...

NO JUSTIFICATION FOR HIGH SALARIES OF BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AMID ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

In the midst of Liberia's current economic struggles, revelations...

LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS: A CALL FOR RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS

The recent clash between the Coalition for Democratic Change...

COMMENTARY

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

IS JOSEPH BOAKAI LISTENING TO PROTESTS AROUND AFRICA?

A Commentary By Wondah L. Jah In January, Joseph Boakai,...

LATEST NEWS

AN OUTRAGED LIBERIAN SENATE CONDEMNS GRAY AMID DEFIANT ENTRY AT UL MAIN CAMPUS…

A Patriot’s Diary With Ekena Nyankun Juahgbe-Droh Wesley Liberians continue to...

INFORMATION MINISTER SPEAKS ON OPPOSITIONS CRITICISM, CALLS FOR CIVIL DISCOURSE

LIBERIA – The Minister Of Information, Cultural Affairs and...

U.S. CONGRESS PASSES LANDMARK LAW TO CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE CORRUPT FOREIGN LEADERS

The U.S. Congress approved the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE DILEMMA OF PRESIDENTIAL SUPREMACY IN LIBERIA: EXAMINING THE BALANCE OF POWER

By Dr. Clarence R. Pearson, Sr. Superior presidency is the...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link