The Liberian senate bill calling for the apportionment of huge monies for retired elected public officials has been rejected by several individuals and groups.
The latest are Montserrado County Representative Acarious M. Grayand, Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Kofa, and CENTAL’s executive director Anderson Miamen.
In a social media post today Rep. Gray reported that the Senate Pension bill has been transmitted to the House, but said “It is hereby unanimously rejected and returned to the Senate.”
For his part, Deputy House Speaker Cllr Fonati Koffa says he isn’t going to sign the bill and wouldn’t even put it on the House agenda.
CENTAL boss, Anderson Miamen, wonders what Liberian Public Officials take Liberians for, especially Senators and Representatives in this instant case.
“They are paid by and through the taxes of Liberians for doing nearly nothing, yet they have the audacity to think about passing a law to give themselves lifetime benefits. Do many of them even deserve the salaries and benefits they receive at the moment? If anything, very few of them do. How can a group of people who work just six months of the year, almost always seeking their personal interest during that time, be thinking about preying further on public coffers/the people, especially after leaving the government? Why should they be so cruel and evil?
Miamen: “How more insensitive can our leaders be for always seeking their selfish interest, at the expense of the masses?”
Different radio talk shows have aired the unanimous rejection of the bill by Liberians.
The Liberian Senate recently passed a bill seeking to pay all lawmakers, Speaker and Pro-Tem-pore, the Chief Justice and all Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, the President and Vice President of the Republic of Liberia 50% salaries upon retirement, While 25% payment to family members in case of death among others.
The bill has been sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
Those to benefit from the pension are as follows:
The senators below signed the bill
Senator Saah Joseph of Montserrado
Senator Darius Dillon of Montserrado County
Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence of Grand Bassa County
Senator Jonathan Kaipay of Grand Bassa County
Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe
Senator Gbelbo Brown of Maryland County
Senator James Biney of Maryland
Senator Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County
Senator Simeon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount
Senator Henrique Tokpa of Bong County
Senator Prince Moye of Bong County
Senator Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County
Senator Marshall Dennis of Grand Gedeh County
Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pelham of Grand Gedeh County
Senator Steve Zargo of Lofa County
Senator Joseph Jallah of Lofa County
Senator Edwin Snowe of Bomi County
Senator Emmanuel Nuquay of Margibi
Senator Francis Paye of RiverCess County
Senator Numene Bartekwa of Grand Kru County
Senator Conmany Wesseh of River Gee County
Senator Botoe Kanneh of Gbarpolu and
Senator Daniel Naatehn of Gbarpolu County
