In the resolution read by Mr. Neufville Thursday, August 10, 2023 in Monrovia, candidates agreed that when elected, they will vote for the reduction in the allowances of lawmakers by at least 20%.

The document disclosed that each lawmaker makes US$15,000 per month, adding that said amount covers general allowances, gas slips, vehicle repairs, constituency office, communication (scratch cards), committee work and domestic travels.

The legislative candidates have further committed to reducing the allowances of Cabinet Ministers and Heads of Public Corporations by at least 20%, noting that in cases where the enabling Statutes protect their benefits, they will proceed by reviewing those laws.

The resolution stressed that money generated from such exercise will subsidize schools and hopefully reduce tuition and fees.

The candidates through Ambassador Neufville, want duty-free privilege for lawmakers, especially two cars per year be cancelled, indicating that duty-free privileges are exemptions that allow some individuals or institutions to import goods into a country without paying customs duties and taxes.

He averred that it is crucial to reconsider the necessity and fairness of providing such privileges when Liberian Lawmakers are among the well-paid officials in the ECOWAS region, saying that this action will eliminate the potential for abuse and increase government revenue.

Still in the resolution, Rufus Neufville indicated that the current practice is that Lawmakers receive new vehicles every three years, and a Senator receives three cars during his/her term while a Representative receives two cars.

He said at the rate of US$45,000, taxpayers spend US$90,000 on each Representative and US$135,000 on each Senator for a term, noting that in total, the country spends US$6,570,000 on the 73 Representatives and US$4,050,000 on the 30 Senators.

The tough talking ex- legislator noted that the legal justification for this luxury is that the annual depreciation rate for government vehicles is 33%, adding that at this rate, the cars are “officially” out of service after every three years.

“We pledge to review the relevant laws or policies that set the standard for the amortization or depreciation of government cars over six years instead of three.”

“Savings here will improve public transport, especially the National Transit Authority,” the resolution intoned.

According to the chief progenitor of the resolution, the estimate here is lower given that the Speaker, President Pro Tempore, and Heads of the Committees on Executive, Ways & Means, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Rules & Order ride more expensive vehicles.

The candidates both independent and from various political parties also pledged to debate the Fiscal Budget in open sections and to vote against any appropriations of public funds to institutions owned by government officials.

“We shall seek the participation of scholars from the following institutions: The University of Liberia, Cuttington University, African Methodist Episcopal University, United Methodist University, AME Zion University, Stella Maris University, and other higher institutions of learning,” they stressed.

They averred that by engaging these institutions, there is an aim to utilize their scholarship and insights in addressing pressing national issues.

Ambassador Rufus Neufville added that the failure to report on money allocated to institutions obstructs the workings of the Legislature and it prevents lawmakers from comparing actual versus planned expenditures over a given period.

Therefore, the candidates pledged to hold in contempt any official of the Executive Branch who will refuse to submit a Budget Performance Report at the end of each fiscal period.

On District Development Funds, the resolution read, “The Budget is a law. After passage by the Legislature, the Executive must execute the law. The Lawmakers abrogated the Constitution by allocating money to themselves for district development in the case of the USD 30,000 in 2020, 2021, and 2022. This action violated the principle of Separation of Powers – the very foundation of our Republican form of government”.

Legal mind Neufville pledged, as per the resolution, that District Development Funds shall go directly to the communities through the Offices of Community Leaders and the Superintendents, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Also touching on Civil Servants, Ambassador Rufus Neufville said if elected, the candidates will vote against any additional benefits to government officials, noting that they will also vote that additional revenue generated shall benefit the civil servants and, harmonization of the salary of public employees or civil servants shall constitute legislative contempt.

“Article 44 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia gives Lawmakers the power to hold public officials in contempt,” he stressed.

Giving the background of the resolution, Ambassador Neufville said they are mindful of the fact that the unfair distribution of resources in Liberia has been the main reason for disunity and conflict.

He said all candidates are also aware that Article 36 of the Constitution grants the authority to the Senators and Representatives to set remuneration or pay for their services;

According to him, they realize that the majority in the Senate and House of Representatives have used the budget process to allocate public funds to themselves at the detriment of the people.

The Montserrado County Electoral District #8 representative candidate further intimated that the candidates signatory to the resolution also understand that the trust of the Liberian people in their lawmakers is low due to greed and unfulfilled campaign promises.

Courtesy of DN News