Confirmation for cabinet minister nominees began Wednesday at the Senate

with Agriculture Minister designate, Dr. Florence Chenoweth, boldly saying she is “qualified and does not need the job to survive”.

But Finance Minister designate Amara Konneh prayed the Senate to confirm him.

When the Senate panel asked for response if the Senate does not confirm her, Dr. Chenoweth replied: “I did not return home to look for a job”.

“I’m not looking for a job. I came here because my country needs me. I’m a renowned and trained scientist. I’m marketable. If this senate believes that I can’t do this work and somebody else can do it, so shall it be,” she emphasized.

Chenoweth, who was agriculture minister in the late 70s, informed the senators that President Sirleaf wooed her on several occasions to accept the Agriculture Minister post.

“I was pursued on several occasions to come for this job,” she told senators, attracting roars in the senate gallery.

But Mr. Konneh, who briefly named job security, economic empowerment, investment in infrastructure and human capital, investment in domestic private sector development, youth development and employment and the leveraging of agricultural potential, amongst others, as his key targets if confirmed, begged the senate to confirm him for the job.

“Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, let me say to you and to the Liberian people that, if confirmed, I will faithfully and passionately execute my duties as Minister of Finance of the Republic of Liberia,” he asserted.

The Finance Minister designate also stressed that if confirmed, he will closely work with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to implement some “quick win” measures aimed at boosting the small scale manufacturing sector of the economy.

“If confirm by you (Senate), I will work closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other stake-holders in government, including your august body, to implement some quick win measures to boost small scale manufacturing through the provision of service plots with government providing land, power and water,” Konneh said.