Liberia: Dr. Moniba Slams Lawmakers for Spending Millions on SUVs Amid National Hardship
Moniba’s criticism comes as all 73 members of the Legislature have received $45,000 for vehicles, with the amount due again in three years.
Dr. Clarence Moniba, political peader of the Liberia National Union, has accused members of the House of Representatives of betraying public trust by allocating and receiving US$45k each for SUV vehicles.
Dr. Moniba says the House’s actions are unfair to Liberians’ taxpayers, who are already struggling to support lawmakers “making unfair amounts of money at the expense of the people.”
“We will never build Liberia when legislators, cabinet ministers, and other senior government officials live like kings while over five million people live like peasants and strangers in their own homes,” he said.
Dr. Moniba further criticized the Legislature’s decision to spend over US$3 million on vehicles while still receiving US$10,000+ in salary and benefits, pointing out the stark contrast with the country’s poor infrastructure and living conditions.
Moniba’s criticism comes as all 73 members of the Legislature have received $45,000 for vehicles, with the amount due again in three years, entitling lawmakers to $90,000 for two SUVs over six years. Members of the Senate also receive US$45,000 for vehicles, bringing the total expenditure to US$4.6 million over six years, which would rise to US$9.2 million if no increase is made.
Unlike vehicles owned by the executive and judiciary, lawmakers’ vehicles become their property after their six-year tenure. If re-elected, they are entitled to two new vehicles for the next six years.
Moniba argued that the funds spent on vehicles could have upgraded 13 major clinics and hospitals, providing 24-hour solar energy, air conditioning, new beds, computer systems, and pharmacy upgrades, as well as refresher training for nursing staff at a cost of US$250k each, saving thousands of lives.
He added that the amount could have purchased 42 modern ambulances at US$75k each, which would have saved an estimated US35k lives per year, or built a modern landfill to alleviate the trash-filled streets.
“The sad thing is, the same budget they approved only gives police officers $150 a month, our government teachers even less, and our civil servants barely enough to feed their families and transport themselves to work each month,” Moniba lamented.
He suggested that the $45,000 could also have provided a $500 yearly raise to the 6,000 men and women of the police force, offering them a respectable salary to avoid resorting to begging.
According to him, the US$45,000 could have been used to upgrade at least 100 government schools with solar electricity, computer and science labs, and materials at a cost of $30k each.
Moniba also noted that the funds could have upgraded the Dogliotti School of Medicine to better train young Liberians to serve rural towns and villages.
“Or transform the MVTC into one of West Africa’s leading technical and vocational training schools by purchasing modern training equipment, helping to prepare Liberia’s youth for the future. Instead, he lamented.”
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