Less than 24 hours after Margibi’ Senator, James Emmanuel Nuquay, leaked the round two distribution of US$15k among Liberian L
lawmakers, Grand Bassa Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence has decided to save herself from citizens relentless lashes by rejecting the money.
Senator Lawrence took to her Official Social Media platform after reading several views of criticism from citizens that engulfed Facebook on Thursday, July 15, in response to what others described as “Heartlessness and Unpatriotic Behavior” of Representatives and Senators who are signing for the remaining money in the wake of public outcries, disenchantment, and the impact of Coronavirus in the country.
Though the opposition leader was part of the 103 Representatives and Senators making up the 54th National Legislature – who collected the Liberian taxpayers’ money as “Legislative Engagement Fund”; a cash she accordingly spent for the completion of the Gunniegar Town High School that was started by the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), along with former Representative Gabriel Buchanan Smith under the “Legislative Support Projects” during the Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf government.
As it stands, the Collaborative Political Parties Chiarperson is the first lawmaker to make public declaration of her position concerning the second dishing out of public funds among lawmakers who should be straightly focused on making laws, ensuring guaranteed oversight and representing the citizens who walked miles in order to have voted them into power.
Here is verbatim write-up of Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence’s Position:
“Second Payment of $15,000:
A Press Release circulating on Facebook supposedly from the Office of our colleague, Senator Emmanuel Nuquay, indicating that lawmakers have received the second portion (15k) of a 30 K budgetary allotment for Legislative Engagement has claimed my attention.
It can be recalled that the first disbursement of 15K of the said Legislative Engagement Fund sparked necessary outrage among Liberians who believe that though budgeted and legitimate, making direct disbursements of public monies to legislators for legislative engagement is insensitive to the welfare of the people; particularly amid the raging COVID-19 crisis.
While I am yet unaware of this latest disbursement as being reported by the Office of Hon. Emmanuel Nuquay, I would like to restate in no uncertain terms my position that it’s untimely for Legislators
to accept said disbursement in the face of our country still going through the COVID-19 crisis.
Accordingly, in adherence to the outcry of our people, I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in requesting the Executive Branch to direct the money to the fight against COVID-19 and or other national priorities. Should the executive insist on making the disbursements, I shall reject mine unconditionally”.
