Monrovia –Tensions ran high at the Capitol Building on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, as lawmakers staged a protest demanding private vehicles from the Executive Branch, flooding the grounds with tricycles, locally known as Kehkeh.
This unprecedented display has drawn sharp criticism from citizens and government officials alike, who view it as an embarrassment to the state.
Monsterrado County District 16 Representative Dixon Seboe escalated matters further with a bold threat aimed at the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) during a heated exchange on social media.
As Chairperson of the House’s Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, Rep. Seboe’s remarks reverberated ominously: “Wait until you see what your ENTITY’S BUDGET will look like next year,” he cautioned LWSC Managing Director Mo Ali.
The Representative’s aggressive stance has sparked public outcry, questioning its implications for state development.
Under the hand , the lawmaker got in feelings when the LWSC Boss on his social media page stated “Congratulations to your for bringing kehkeh, this will help us seh to get money”
Citizens are particularly concerned about potential repercussions for the LWSC, a critical institution tasked with managing Liberia’s water and sewer infrastructure.
In response to the controversy, LWSC Managing Director Mo Ali expressed unexpected support for the lawmakers’ unconventional commute choice, advocating for fiscal responsibility.
In a late-night Facebook post, Ali extended warm congratulations to the protesting lawmakers, endorsing their use of tricycles as a cost-saving measure. “Congratulations to our lawmakers for opting to use tricycles instead of expensive cars. This initiative helps minimize expenditure,” Ali affirmed.
This was seen as a mockery from a ranking member of the executive to the legislators who have been riding tricycles as means of protestation on ground that their vehicles as budgeted have not been procured by the executive branch of government
Ali further justified his stance by arguing that the allocation of funds for over a hundred vehicles for lawmakers would constitute financial mismanagement.
Instead, he suggested redirecting such resources towards upgrading sectors beneficial to all Liberians.
However, the Managing Director’s endorsement of the lawmakers’ protest has ignited a broader debate about fiscal responsibility and government priorities.
Critics argue that Rep. Seboe’s budget threat risks undermining the LWSC’s capacity to fulfill its mandate effectively beyond the upcoming fiscal year.
The implications for Liberia’s infrastructure and public services remain a central concern among citizens.
As the controversy unfolds, further development are keen in observing the unfolding dynamics between the legislative and executive branches and their impact on national governance and accountability.
The outcome of this clash of perspectives will undoubtedly shape future discourse on the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation.
