‘Lawmakers’ Vehicles Are Not Gov’t Properties’ – Rep. Browne

Monrovia – Representative Byron Browne (Liberty Party-District-4 Grand Bassa County) has clarified that vehicles of lawmakers are not government owned but rather personal vehicles.

Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]

He made the statement in an interview with FrotPageAfrica Wednesday. 

“Vehicles of the legislators are not government properties, proprieties of government are vehicles marked by the General Services Agency (GSA), the only property of government are the license plates,” said Rep. Browne. 

The outgoing Grand Bassa County lawmaker’s response to an FPA inquiry comes ahead of the transition of government. 

However, Browne said it is a normal practice that the legislature at the end of every sitting does an inventory of assets and the current one is in that line. 

The House of Representatives is set to welcome a batch of new lawmakers. Over 47 newly elected representatives are expected to join 26 incumbent lawmakers in the 73-seat chamber on January 15, 2018. 

As it stands, following the transition the new government will carry the burden of purchasing 73 new vehicles for incoming lawmakers.  

In the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf officials of government including lawmakers, were criticized for buying luxurious cars and ignoring the interest of the masses.                                                                                            

A Memorandum dated in December of 2017 from the House of Representatives Committee Chair on Rules Order and Administration Representative Byron Brown mandated all departmental heads to do an inventory of government property as part of the transition. 

“My fellow colleagues, I write to inform you that I have directed he maintenance Director to work with the chief of security and the procurement Department to take total inventory of all Government’s properties within the Honourable House of Representatives before the 22^nd of this month. 

“This decision is based on the fact that the transition of this government is just a month away and it will be in the best interest of the 53^rd legislature to conduct inventory before the transition to the 54^th legislature,” read the letter.