Grand Bassa County Electoral District #5 Representative, Thomas Goshua, is calling for an increase in the budget of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The Grand Bassa County lawmaker added that it is vital for his fellow lawmakers to see the importance of increasing the LDEA budget.
According to him, if the LDEA budget is increased, the institution will be more effective in fighting narcotic drugs throughout the country. Representative Goshua expressed that narcotic drugs are gradually taking over the country.
The Alternative National Congress (AN) lawmaker stated that it is nearly impossible for the LDEA to fight drugs effectively with limited budgetary support. He made this statement recently when he appeared on a local radio talk show in Monrovia.
The Bassa lawmaker emphasized that there is a need for the LDEA budget to be increased in order to enable the agency to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.
Representative Goshua stated that thousands of young people are gradually falling victim to the influence of narcotic drugs in the country.
“This issue of the huge influence of drugs in the country needs to be fought rigorously by all well-meaning Liberians,” asserted Rep. Goshua. The Bassa lawmaker stated that the issue of drugs is a national emergency and needs to be eradicated from Liberia.
Representative Goshua reiterated that the young people, who are the future leaders of the country, are getting out of control due to the deadly narcotic drugs they are consuming.
He emphasized that fighting drugs in Liberia requires the collective efforts of all Liberians.
The lawmaker shared with the public that he is a victim of this situation, explaining that he had a son who graduated from the Salvation Army School but later became involved with drugs.
Representative Goshua remarked that it was by the grace of Almighty God that he was able to take his son to a rehabilitation center, and today he is doing well. During the 54th National Legislature, the lawmaker led a campaign by sponsoring a bill to make drug offenses non-billable.
Representative Goshua is known for speaking against the influence of drugs in the country. Since he started this anti-drug campaign, he has not rested. He touched on the issue of the alleged alteration of the budget by some lawmakers, stating that it needs to be thoroughly investigated.
The lawmaker further stated that this issue of budget alteration poses a credibility problem for them as lawmakers.
He added that this matter is serious, and he is not taking it lightly. “I want the committee to come out with a report so we can identify those lawmakers who are involved in this act.” The Bassa lawmaker has threatened to go public by naming and shaming those lawmakers involved.
He expressed concern over President Joseph N. Boakai’s delay in releasing the LDEA report conducted by the Ministry of Justice involving Abraham Kromah and his two deputies. According to him, it is important for the President’s office to release the report.
