-As Senators frown on placing Sen. Dillon’s issue on plenary’s Agenda
The Liberian Senate was on Monday a scene of heightened tension in its Chamber over recent salary disclosure by Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darious Dillon.
It can be recalled, Montserrado County Senator Dillon Made known lawmakers’ monthly salary inclusive of allowances and benefits amounting to US$15,000 and including LRD$29,000 from public/civil servant monthly pay.
But several Senators including River Gee’s Commany B. Wisseh and Sinoe’s J. Milton Teahjay said Sen. Dillon got it wrong and inflated the monthly salaries of Liberian Lawmakers.
On Monday October 1, 2019, Senator, Gbe-bo Brown, Jonathan Kaipay of Maryland and Grand Bassa Counties frowned on the decision by Senate’s decision to allow press conference statement recently issued by the Montserrado County Senator to form part of the Senate’s agenda.
The Senators recommended that the Senate officially communicate its concern through a Press Statement and other means, instead discussing salary disclosure in session.
The debate terming Mr. Dillon assertions on Senator’s Monthly salary, allowances and benefits as false and misleading, ensued when Sinoe County Senator Milton Teahjay called for the revelation of Senator Dillon to be placed on the agenda for discussion.
He said that amount the lawmaker considered as salary is placed under his budget to know that such amount is paid by government monthly towards the vehicle which guarantee for three years.
Senator Teahjay, who said the action by the Montserrado County lawmaker was inappropriate and misleading, indicated further that the Liberty Party’s Senator misconstrued what was given him to the public.
He argues that US$3, 375 transportation reimbursements Mr. Dillon considered as income is wrong. He said the amount is part of the vehicle government assigned to a senator and excluded as he thinks.
According to him, Senator Dillon sensationalized the salaries and benefits of Senator; as such he should retract his comments.
But a motion proffered by Rivercess County Senator Francis Paye, for open discussion was met with mixed views.
But in response, Mr. Dillon said he standby his figure provided to the public. According to him, if Senator Teahjay proves him wrong, promised to resign as senator.
Dillon speaking further, he provided that exactly what the Senate’s Chairperson on Ways, Means and Finance transmitted him in handwritten is what he reported to the public. Report by Mark N. Mengonfia