By Jessica Cox
MONROVIA The Government of Liberia has rejected allegations circulating in sections of the media that the country’s diplomatic pouch system was used to import narcotics into Liberia through it’s official spokesperson information minister Jerolinmek M Piah.
Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, government officials said the diplomatic pouch is used for the transmission of official government correspondence, confidential diplomatic communications, and authorized documents between Liberia and its embassies, consulates, and permanent missions abroad.
Piah stated that the system operates through authorized courier and postal services internationally and designated dispatch personnel locally.
The government also addressed reports concerning a Liberian national associated with Roberts International Airport who reportedly traveled to the People’s Republic of China for training and subsequently absconded. Authorities said the individual did not remain in China as had been reported.
The briefing followed the suspension of Deputy Commissioner of Customs Peter M. Kaine by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
According to the government, the suspension is connected to ongoing investigations into the seizure of approximately 237.6 kilograms of cocaine at Roberts International Airport. Officials said the President’s decision followed a briefing from the Ministry of Justice and a Joint Security investigative task force.
The government said the suspension is intended to preserve the integrity of the investigation while inquiries continue.
Hefurther stated that the investigation will continue under the supervision of the relevant security and justice institutions.
In a separate update, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) reported that disease surveillance activities remain active across the country’s 15 counties.
According to NPHIL, surveillance teams continue monitoring priority diseases and public health events, including Lassa fever, mpox, measles, COVID-19, rabies, and other emerging infectious diseases.
The institute said its Emergency Operations Center remains operational on a 24-hour basis.
NPHIL also reported that, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assessments were recently conducted in several counties and at key points of entry, including the Freeport of Monrovia and Roberts International Airport.
The institute stated that no Ebola cases have been reported in Liberia or elsewhere in the West African region.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Health also disclosed that it has submitted a proposal to President Boakai for the establishment of a national health insurance scheme. According to health authorities, the proposal includes the creation of a Liberia Health Equity Fund and a Health Equity Authority aimed at expanding access to healthcare services and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses.
He concluded that the proposal is currently under consideration.
