In a demonstration of protest over delayed benefits, a group of Representatives, including Yekeh Kolubah, Montserrado County District #10; Jacob Debee, Gedeh County District #3; Sumo K. Mulbah, Montserrado County District #3; and Zinnah Norman, Gbarpolu County District #3, arrived at work on Capitol Hill in tricycles referred to as keh-kehs.
For Rep. Norman, he was more satirical with a bit of sarcasm in his statement. He said,"President Boakai, through the GSA, gave us plates, but no vehicles. So we are calling on President Boakai to mandate the Finance Ministry to provide cars. We are in the seventh month without vehicles." During a session, Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Mr. Dorbor Jallah, reported that the LRA had exceeded its revenue target by nearly US$8 million.
"Astonishingly, the Commissioner General would report over-performing on revenue, yet the House of Representatives cannot receive budgeted benefits," Speaker Koffa said, expressing his outrage. He criticized the current situation where lawmakers are forced to borrow money for basic needs while the Senate enjoys full funding for its retreat. The House, in contrast, relies on NGO support to hold its retreat.
He bemoaned the disparity between the funding of the House and the Senate."If the Commissioner General had said revenue was not performing, we would understand. But he says revenue is over-performing, yet the Senate is well-funded, while the House has only two months' worth of benefits. We can't even get money for a retreat and must beg NGOs for stationery. If we cannot resolve this soon, we will shut down the House of Representatives.