“Accordingly, it intends to transform a small fraction of remittance transaction, specifically a contribution of One United States Dollars ($1.00 USD) per remittance transaction, irrespective of the amount remitted or the identity of the sender, into a structured national development financing mechanism capable of supporting critical sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure, water sanitation, technology and community development.” Excerpt, Proposed Bill, Liberian Senate
Early Public Backlash:
Hundreds of Liberians are wasting no time to publicly rebuke Senator Abraham Darius Dillon’s latest proposal. Most of the commenters expressed serious disapointment and dismay, while calling for a cut in the astronomical budgetary approriations, including salaries and benefits, of Liberian Lawmakers.
This paper reviewed the budgetary appropriations of the LIberian Senate from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to 2026. A total of US$51.4 million has been spent on a Senate of just 29 members. The details are as follows:
Budgetary Appropriations for 36 months or 3 fiscal years:
FY2024: US$19,491,637
FY2025: US$15,022,256
FY2026: US$16,840,876
Total FY2024-2026: US$51,354,769
Excluding huge benefits, let’s single out just salary alone for 29 Senators from 2024-2026. In just 36 months, 29 Senators have been paid US$10.13 million in salary alone. The facts are below:
FY2024: US$3,500,259
FY2025: US$3,319,265
FY2026: US$3,319,265
Total FY2024-2026: US$10,138,789
Note: 29 Senators because the Office of the Senate Pro-Temp runs her own budget. Data Source: 2026 Approved National Budget, Liberia
Instead of cutting US$1 from remittances sent to them in Liberia, are citizens right to be calling for a cut in the huge budetary appropriations, including salaries and benefits, of lawmakers? Have your say…
