-District #9 Fubbie Henries Tells Lawmakers

IPNEWS: Fubbi Henries, who twice unsuccessfully contested a seat in the National Legislature to represent the people of Montserrado County District #9, has said members of the first branch of the Government under the Liberian Constitution have no right to receive any extra monies from the National Budget except their salaries.

Mr. Henries’ comments come amidst ongoing public debate and among lawmakers themselves on whether or not both members of the House of Representatives and Senate have each received thirty thousand United States Dollars (USD$30,000.) as money intended for their legislative projects.

Some members of the Legislature, including Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon, have said at no time did they receive such an amount as it is being reported.

The brouhaha started when Montserrado County District # 8 Representative, Moses Acarous Gray, revealed on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, that members of the Legislature, including Senator Dillon, have each received thirty thousand United States Dollars for what is now known as Legislative Engagement and Public Accessibility fees.

Speaking recently as a guest panelist on the popular ‘SPOON TALK’ radio and online platform, Mr. Henries’ said monies from the National budget received by members of the Legislature apart from their individual salaries and benefits, are illegitimate.

“Thirty thousand United States Dollars which amounts to three million and ninety thousand United States Dollars (USD$3,090,000) to be pocketed by members of the National Legislature is a huge amount that could be used to tackle some of the Country’s competing priorities, including health, education, and infrastructure, particularly roads,” Mr. Henries noted.

While Representative Gray insists that Senator Dillon is among those who received the money, Dillon maintains he received no penny and will resign if anyone, apparently including Representative Gray, adduces a shred of evidence to substantiate the claim.

“I did not receive US$30,000 from any bank or anyone. Since I took a US$10,000 loan from GT Bank when I became a senator in 2019, which I fully liquidated, I have never taken a loan under any means to collect unwarranted monies as a Legislator. I will give power of attorney to all banks to reveal to the public if I, Senator Dillon, ever took any loan under any dubious means through the Legislature for the Liberian government to pay back,” Dillon said last Wednesday when he addressed the media. Writes David N. Targbe – Editor