Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:42 
Pastor On Hunger Strike Rushed To Hospital...Vows To Continue Advocacy
Story by
Photo Credit:
Pastor Wilmot Ben Yalartai, the Liberian cleric who has been on hunger strike as a campaign for the Government of Liberia to reform the National Oil Law was rushed to hospital during the weekend due to de-hydration. Pastor Yalartai according to family sources was rushed to the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital last Saturday after falling sick and weak.
In an interview with the INQUIRER following his treatment at the hospital, Pastor Yalartai who is also one of Liberia's successful businessman said he was only brought to the hospital to take drip due to the weakness of his body.
He vowed to continue his hunger strike action until the Government of Liberia can revise the oil contract signed with various companies and strengthen the oil law to conform to the New Petroleum Law of Liberia.
“I will not abandon my protest action. I will continue the hunger strike despite my health condition because I know I am doing the right thing in the interest of the Liberian people” the pastor who according to medical sources has lost over thirty pounds said.
Pastor Yalartai who spent three hours at the Hospital said since he decided not eat food, his action has being going well until last Saturday when his doctor and family members recommended that he takes drip. “I was also given some medication containing several minerals and vitamins but I intend to continue the hunger strike until the oil law is crafted in a way that will benefit the people of Liberia and not a privilege few,” he added.
However, prior to being taken to the hospital, Pastor Yalartai who is also the owner of the Moweh Incorporated, a local construction firm speaking at the Harmon D. Yalartai Revival School took his case to the stage when he said Liberia is rich with abundant natural resources which include rubber, gold, diamond, iron ore, logs, oil and others.
Pastor Yalartai spoke on the theme “Liberia's Natural Resources; its God-given purpose and benefits” said with a population of 3.5 million people Liberians must benefit from their God-given resources.
Pastor Yalartai quoting Ecclesiastes 5:9 said moreover the profit of the earth is for all; the King himself is served by the field, saying, “it means every Liberian, male or female, great or small, government officials or ordinary citizens should participate in the economic benefits from the sale of Liberia's natural resources.”
“Unfortunately, this is not the case. With all the abundance of natural resources of our blessed country more than 95% of Liberians live in abject poverty and more than 92% of our wealth is in the hands of foreigners. It is time to change this tragic and catastrophic situation in our beloved country and I am tenacious in this endeavor,” he added.
To be specific, the oil that was discovered in Liberia at this point in time after fourteen (14) years of brutal civil war that led to the death of 250,000, mostly ordinary Liberians, is a direct reward from God to all Liberians.
He noted, “This is so to heal the wounds afflicted by this disastrous, devastating and calamitous civil conflict to comfort and deliver them from abject poverty and financial strangulation.”
He said the ordinary Liberians, who did not have the opportunity to travel overseas, witnessed the brutal killing of their fathers, mothers, children, close and extended relatives and friends before their eyes and the innocent blood of those victims that was shared is stiff crying before the throne of the Almighty God day and night for vengeance from their foes.
“The Almighty God has vindicated the shared blood of those victims by the discoveries of oil and gas to benefit their bereaved relatives and friends for we know there shall be abundant commercial quantities from these discoveries,” the Pastor averred.
From his speech which turned to be preaching the word of God Pastor Yalartai said, “The word of God says in Jeremiah 32:41-42 and I quote 'Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them well; and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. For thus said the Lord; like have brought all this evil upon this people. So I will bring upon them all the good I have promised them.'”
The Pastor told the people of Liberia that the time has come to put away fear and peacefully unite and fight for what is justly theirs, to alleviate the long suffering and abject poverty, adding, “We must fight for our children to obtain free education through high school and student loans and grants to enable them obtain college education to build and expand their capacity.”
He said this fight for the country's resources will also ensure that more roads and bridges will be built to develop our electricity and telecommunications and to modernize our infrastructures according to 21St century modernization.
“We must unite and fight to take back our economy from the hands of foreigners who have afflicted us with corruption and poverty and taken 95 percent of our wealth. While we greatly suffer from poverty as citizens of this great nation with abundant wealth and resources they enjoy our wealth and prosperity as foreigners,” Pastor Yalartai stated.
However he said by peaceful means Liberians must unite and send a strong message to their government that it is time to put Liberia first.
