Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire – Liberia’s Ambassador accredited to Cote d’Ivoire Madam Willye Mai Tolbert King is calling on the Liberian government to pay serious attention to the Embassy in the West African States.
Speaking to a team of reporters recently in Abidjan, the Liberian Diploma outlined a series of challenges confronting the Embassy in neighboring Ivory coast; she said low budgetary constant, the lack of qualified security, Salary delay, lack of funds to maintain the building, vehicles maintenance, the lack of health insurance amongst other are seriously affecting the Embassy.
She noted that due to the low budgetary constrain, the authority at the Embassy is finding it difficult to maintain qualified and trained staff at the embassy; noting that all of the qualified staff including interpreters have resigned and are currently working with other Embassies in Ivory Coast; due to the Liberian government inability to pay staffs on time she narrated.
“The issue of interpreters is Paramount we encountered different Nationals on a daily basis, it is essential to have interpreters who will adequately translate for official meetings at the embassy”.
The Deputy Chief of Mission position at the Embassy is one of two critical positions that are vacant as a result of the passing of two Diplomats in the nation she specified. Ambassador King took advantage of the opportunity to tell the public of this.
She explained that the Ambassador’s designated vehicle, Representative CMD #1, has been broken down for more than two years as a result of a lack of funding. Because there is no operational budget, handling the affairs of the embassy and keeping the cars in good working order are both arduous tasks. Embassy staff members live at the mercy of God.
She also warns Liberians to maintain peace as they prepare for the general and presidential elections in 2023; statistics show that over 19,000 Liberians live in the neighboring Ivory Coast.
