BARCLAYVILLE, March 27 (LINA) – Grand Kru Superintendent Doris N. Ylatun has threatened to take drastic action against the County Agriculture Coordinator, Benjamin Bedell, and the Sectional Clerk of the Kplibo Chiefdom, Wah Wah Blamo, for their recent refusal to abide by the health measure to shutdown churches, aimed at avoiding over-crowdedness to help contain spread of the coronavirus.
The two pastors and government officials under the banner of Grand Kru Full Gospel Ministers Association vowed to resist the government measures against the COVID 19.
The men claimed that as Pentecostal churches they will use Sunday, a time that every Christian should pray and fast for the country, to seek God’s divine intervention in the coronavirus crisis.
The coronavirus is spreading to countries in Africa, including Liberia, which recently confirmed that a third person has been tested positive of the disease, prompting government and the Health Ministry to put into place measures that could contain the virus and save Liberia over four million people from the current crisis.
In the meantime, authorities have closed all learning institutions and religious worship centers are ordered also shut down by government in an effort to cut the gap in transmission of COVID 19.
The recent statement made by Wah Wah Blamo, Pastor of the Abundant Life Church situated in Topoh, Barclayville and Benjemin Bedell, Pastor of the Jireh Faith Mission has come under serious public criticism and citizens have described their remarks as reckless and with the sole intent to undermine the county administration and Health Team efforts to curb the spread of the disease.
Some citizens recommended the immediate dismissal of the two government employees, adding that if they want to undermine government efforts they should resign their respective posts.
For his part, the County Agriculture Coordinator Benjemin Bedell said, “let the government of Liberia close the markets or business centers in the county, that’s the only way we as Ministers of the Gospel will close our churches.”
The County Superintendent has described the two local authorities’ statement as misplaced and in negative directions, saying otherwise level- headed men making such remarks is “disappointing to the county administration and people.”
She wondered what these pastors are preaching to their respective congregations every Sunday, when they themselves as pastors are not obedient to God’s words.
The Superintendent then challenged anyone calling themselves pastor to open their worship centers on Sunday, adding: “Let’s see if they are above government, because after God come the government as is stated in the Holy Bible.”
She requested the two government officials involved to apologize on the airwaves of the two radio stations in the county or risk drastic administrative actions.
The Superintendent made the disclosure to the Liberia News Agency on Wednesday March 25, in Barclayville, the county seat of Grand Kru County.
Madam Ylatun said she will not relent in enforcing the central government’s mandate on containing the spread of the virus and will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those found violating the health protocols.
LINA JMS/PTK
