Members of the Liberian Legislature are said to be under serious criticism after receiving what Liberians termed as ‘unexplained’ $15,000 USD under the canopy of ‘Legislative Engagement Projects” fund.
The news of the money became widespread in the public following a social media post by Monsterrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon.
Senator Dillon himself has been under intense pressure for receiving his portion of the $15,000 USD, contrary to his pledge that he will not receive any financial inducement.
Amid concern by Liberians, lawmakers who received the money have been confronted by their various constituents over the legitimacy of the cash and the direct benefit to the country.
The money was disbursed to the lawmakers at the time when the country is engulfed with unemployment and economic hardship under the Weah Administration.
However, Senator Dillon who promised under public pressure to return money has renewed his argument on the management of the $25 million USD Covid-19 Stimulus Package, international donor assistance and the $75 USD COVID-19 fee collected from travelers at the Robert’s International Airport (RIA) by government.
Legislative Staffers demand arrears
Early Tuesday, June 15, 2021, staffers blockaded the legislative chambers and temporarily prevented lawmakers from holding session until their overdue salaries were paid.
However, following negotiations, the aggrieved staffers, they allowed session to begin. Staffers had staged prior blockades over lingering delinquent salary payments.
Opposition leader questions
Opposition leader Alexander B. Cummings of the Alternative National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday joined in widespread criticisms of the Liberian lawmakers and Government over wasteful spending.
“I join my voice in condemnation of this continued irresponsible behaviour of the Weah-led Government,” Cummings said in a succinctly worded press statement.
The opposition leader urged lawmakers to return the $15,000 USD to the treasury in the interest of the country.
Mr. Cummings also called for an audit of the country’s Legislature because since resumption of democratic governance in the legislature has consistently refused to be audited.
Recently, the Liberian Council of Churches, a national religious coalition, also called for an audit the Legislature.
A Liberian political activist and former student leader Martin Kollie who was forced into exile under the Weah Administration at the peril of his life, in a strongly worded Facebook post Tuesday, blasted lawmakers over the receipt the naked cash.
“Greed and institutionalized corruption are killing Liberia and Liberians. That country is in TROUBLE. It has a Legislature of indigenous vampires,” he adds.
The basic monthly salary of a Liberian Senator is $10,300, while a Representative is $7,800, excluding thousands of additional dollars in benefits.
Some citizens, who have taken their frustration to social media on the direction of the country and hardship they are experiencing, are calling on lawmakers to return the money.
In the wake of public concerns Liberia Public Radio has learnt that disbursement of US$15,000 to each lawmaker is part of a ‘legislative syndicate’ to award a proposed oil bloc to a new company unknown.
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