Monrovia – Nine members of the House of Representatives have again written House Speaker Bhofal Chambers to intervene in what is been described as a huge disparity in the distribution of fuel and gasoline amongst members of the House.
Report by Henry Karmo, [email protected]
Those nine lawmakers are pointing accusing fingers at one of their colleagues, Rep. Mariamu Fofana, who is the House’s Committee Chair on Rules, Order and Administration for being behind the alleged disparity.
The lawmakers include Jay Nagbe Sloh (Distict #2, Sinoe County), Beyan Howard (District #5, Lofa County), Adolph Lawrence (District #15, Montserrado County), Larry Younquoi (District #8, Nimba County), Rustowlyn Suacoco Dennis (District #4, Montserrado County) and Thomas Gushua (District $5, Grand Bassa).
Others are Yekeh Kolubah (District #10, Montserrado County), Vincent Willie (District #4, Grand Bassa) and Ivar K. Jones (District #2, Margibi County).
In the lawmakers’ communication, they request full disclosure in the administration of the House of Representatives. According to them, there is “an alarming non-disclosure on the part of the committee as it relates to the administration of duty free on fuel for the House of Representatives.”
“We have in our possession pieces of evidence of duty free rebate to the House of Representatives in the tune of US$472,000 gasoline gallons per quarter and US$66,664 diesel gallons per quarter cumulating to US$1,888,000 gasoline gallons and US$266,456, diesel gallons.”
Further in their argument, they informed the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker that the “rebate” per gallon of gasoline is US$0.75 and US$ 0.70 for diesel, accounting for import levies, sale tax, and road fund. This concludes that each member’s office, the House of Representatives should receive at least US$8,500 for 2018 as rebate.
According to them, the amount stated doesn’t include the offices of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Central Administration, and the rebate from generator fuel.
“Mr. Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and distinguished colleagues, we request in the highest manner of civility and for the respectability and moral of the House of Representatives that each member be allowed to knowingly and willingly enjoy this rebate on fuel, or such proceeds be deposited in the consolidated account and be discontinued.”
The lawmakers further stated that they are prepared and willing to present all pieces of evidence for full disclosure the claims they have made and pray Plenary to exhaust all efforts in bringing closure on the matter so as to enhance their cordiality and morale.
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