Montserrado County District#17 Representative Hanson Kiazolu confirms that each member of the House received US$1, 000 from a budget of US$100,000 as Daily Sustenance Allowance or DSA during a day-long retreat recently in Monrovia, while arguing that monthly earning of Liberian lawmakers is insufficient to respond to many challenges they are confronted with in their constituencies.
Speaking on a local radio station early this week, he said the money received is legal, and there was nothing wrong, contrary to public criticism here against lawmakers spending US$100,000 on three meals and allowance just for a one day retreat.
The retreat was intended for the House leadership headed by Speaker Bhofal Chambers and the membership to mend fence following unilateral and sometimes contradictory utterances coming from that august body over the missing billions characterized by bitter disagreement and name-calling.
Liberian Lawmakers, particularly members of the House earn a monthly income of US$15,000 but Representative Kiazolu rubbishes such figure.
According to him, their monthly earning, inclusive of benefits and gasoline doesn’t exceed US$11,000.The former ruling Unity Party lawmaker noted their monthly salary as lawmakers is insufficient, owing to financial interventions they make to their respectively constituency.
By Ethel A. Tweh-Editing by Jonathan Browne
