— Lawmakers Introduces Kekeh ride to Session
IPNEWS: At least five Representatives Tuesday vowed to continue riding tricycles ‘kekeh’ to session after the government of Liberia failed to purchase vehicles for the Lawmakers in keeping with law.
The five aggrieved lawmakers are Montserrado County District 10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah, Jacob Darbee, Sumo Mulubah, Zinna Normon, Eurgen Kollie.
The aggrieved Lawmakers said their decision is as the result of the government’s alleged refusal to purchase brand new vehicles for all 73 members of the House of Representatives despite their efforts to allotted money in the 2024 National Budget.
They claimed that members of the House of Representatives are yet to receive their benefits from the Executive Branch of Government, specifically through the Ministry of Finance from January 2024.
The protesting lawmakers vowed to continue using kekeh to commute to work until their benefits are given in keeping with law.
They further expressed frustration over the government’s decision not to allocate funds for the purchase of new vehicles. It’s estimated that Liberia would need USD $2.9 million to acquire vehicles for all 73 representatives, costing approximately $40,000 each.
Meanwhile, Liberians are calling on President Boakai to make good the distribution of vehicles to the lawmakers as prescribed by law.
Mengistu Eddie Wolokolie Commends Lawmakers for Opting to Use Tricycles; Urges President Boakai to Allocate Funds for $3,000 Tricycles
Mengistu Eddie Wolokolie, a prominent figure in Liberia, has praised lawmakers for their decision to commute using tricycles (known as Kehkehs) and has called on President Joseph Boakai to heed their request for funds to purchase tricycles costing $3,000 each.
He emphasized that choosing $3,000 tricycles over $45,000 vehicles per lawmaker would save the country significant funds that could be redirected towards healthcare, education, and other development priorities.
“The Representatives have demonstrated that $3,000 tricycles are suitable for their needs,” Wolokolie stated.
He also extended appreciation to Representative Yekeh Kolubah for his leadership in making a decision that would save the country money.
On July 2, several opposition lawmakers in Liberia opted to use tricycles for their commute amid an ongoing dispute over the government’s alleged refusal to procure new vehicles for all 73 representatives at the Capitol Building.
Sources indicate that these lawmakers voiced frustration over the government’s stance on vehicle allocation, estimating that Liberia would require $2.9 million to purchase vehicles for all representatives, each costing around $40,000.
