Monrovia – News emenating from the Legislature that its members – Represenatives and Senator – are preparing to make a hard decision by cutting their salaries have received mixed views but mostly applause from several Liebrians.
The lawmakers are also planning to cut their benefits and these changes are expected to take effect following the retification of the 2019/2020 national budget.
Some Liberians have been telling FrontPage Africa that the move will help revamp the already struggling Liberian economy.
Moibah V. Kiadii, Member, Center for the Exchange of Intellectual Opinion (CEIO)
“As we speak, our lawmakers are taking home very huge salaries. If they cut their salaries it will auger well for our dying economy. If I were to recommend to the Legislature, I will want them to reduce their salaries to US$10,000 that will constitute all benefit, I think it will be better for them.
The reason I say US$10,000 is because they too have some responsibilities. Be it personally or whatever. Looking at the way they came to power, through campaigning, those promises they made to the people. So, in order to fulfill what they promised their partizans at least that money is alright for the Senators and the Representatives.”
Dannette Nyanfor, AME University Student
“For me, the news is welcoming but if you look at it indepth, it is something that will really not boost our economy. The money that they will cut from their salaries at the end of the day, they will be the same people that will use the money or disburse it into society.
So, what is significant in cutting down their salaries and at the end of the day they still take that money back and use it for their own purpose. At the end of the day, we the citizens will not see the trickle-down effect of the money.
These are all political talks coming from our Lawmakers. President Weah before becoming President, we learned that he brought medical equipment in our country before he took power and those pieces of equipment have not been found in any of our hospitals as we speak.
Just the other day health workers protested because of this same medical equipments. So what is the assurance these people will give to us when they cut down their money?
Will it be used for the purpose it was cut for, there is where the problem last.
For me, it is just a political mark they want to make come 2020 Senatorial election. We the Liberians need to be very smart and sensitive to their quest.
President Weah told us that he was going to cut down his salary by 25 percent but nothing we can see happening. Now a day, we see our President flying around with luxurious stuff.
What I want to say to our lawmakers is to be truthful and real to us Liberians. The Constitution gives our Lawmakers the right to determine the salary and the budget of the entire legislature. If they will be real to us, let them limit their budget. So, I think it is a political game for 2020 and 2023 elections.”
Monboe Calvin Monboe, Rights Activist
“If it is done, it will be welcoming; It is long overdue. I remember when we were in the student community, that was one of our advocacies that Lawmakers should reduce their salaries and other benefits.
Let their money be allocated to various public universities budgets. So, this time around they are listening to the calls of the Liberians people holding to the fact that the present economic situation. I think it is welcoming.
We hope this time it will work out because we have heard it times without numbers. Amara Konnah, when he was the then Finance Minister under the former President Sirleaf, the same issue was rise and the guys even made an attempt and that did not work out. So, we hope this time around it will come to reality and that will mean good for the Liberians people.”
Kelfala A. Kanneh, Executive Chairman of Center for Intellectual Freedom
“I think the Lawmakers are now thinking in the right direction. It is part of their responsibility that they do the thing in the interest of the Liberian people. The deduction on their salary is a positive venture because it is one of the things that the masses are calling for.
The step by the Legislature shows that they are trying to work in the best interest of the Liberians people.
With the present economic situation, if I will recommend the Legislature should take home 1,500 USD. They are Lawmaker and are there to make laws and to have oversight and representation and not to make huge money.
So for me, with this kind of economic situation we are in where salary harmonization is going across the board, I think it is a plus for them to reduce their salary.
Albert T. Nana, Student, University of Liberia
“It is a welcoming news and it will serve as a serious opportunity for young people. That is to empower them through acquiring good education. The money that will be cut will go toward the various public institutions of learning.
Presently, our Lawmakers are making too much money. So, that deduction will help we the young people. Our Lawmakers are overly paid. So, cutting down their salaries will help to equip our various hospital and other public facilities.
As we speak, our Lawmakers make US$15,000 so, I recommend that the money be reduced to either eight or seven thousand. Let our Representatives take home eight thousand dollars while our Senators take home eight thousand dollars.”