By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor in Monrovia
Independent Candidate for Margibi County Electoral District #2 in Liberia, Ivar Jones, has sharply rejected claims and accusations against him that he is a gay or homosexual. Jones says his political adversaries are peddling the allegation.
“I’m not a gay. My religion, cultural practices and concept about life cannot allow me to be a gay. I’m a family man with three daughters and fiancée. It is just shameful for an older man to engage in such cheap propaganda,” says Jones.
Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia, August 22nd, Jones said that the allegation is intended to distract his quest of seeking the support of the people in electoral district #2.
Margibi County Representative Ballah Zayzay alleged that Jones is homosexual and the residents of the district should not vote for him in the ensuring elections.
Rep. Zayzay, who is contesting on the ticket of the ruling Unity Party, told a gathering in his local Lorma vernacular that Jones’ source of income is from gay practices.
But countering his opponent, Jones indicated that Rep. Zayzay allegations are coming out a dying political stage and that the statement shows the signal of desperation.
The practice of homosexual is prohibited under the Liberian criminal laws, with strictly condemnation and punishments prescribed for violators.
Mr. Jones, a businessman-turned-politician, argued that the passage of 68 multi billon concession agreements that turned out that only two met the minimum requirement is enough to vote the lawmakers out.
Jones, indicated another reason to vote the lawmakers out is the speedy passage of the controversial Oil Bloc #13 Bill.
He noted that the members of the 53rd Liberian Legislature are only seeking their ‘personal gains’, putting the plight of Liberians who stood in long queues to cast their ballots for them in abject poverty.
Mr. Jones pointed out that legislature is charged with the responsibility of providing oversight to the rest of the government, but it has failed to assist in the control of the foreign exchange rate to the Liberian dollar. Currently the exchange rate is LD$120 to US$1.00, something he termed as very ‘astronomical’.
Margibi Electoral District #2 includes the Roberts International Airport and the nation’s largest rubber plantation. But Jones claims that the district has not benefited anything from both the Liberian government and the management of Firestone in terms of social benefits.
According to him, the district is not benefiting anything because the current national leaders are mute. He did not say what kind benefits he expected the government of Liberia and the Firestone Rubber Plantation should have given the district but has not been forthcoming.
The district is lagging behind in terms of development and progress, Jones noted. He said the only community college being constructed by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led administration lacks international standards. As a result, he added, students from that county have spent LD$500 per day to attend classes at the University of Liberia Fendell campus.
