Monrovia, Liberia – Johnny Kpehe, a senator from Bong County, has openly expressed his support for a bill that would lower Liberian senators’ pay from $8,000 to $5,000. Sen. Kpehe’s public statement coincides with requests for austerity measures within the Liberian government and continuous public discourse.
The Bong County senator stated that he was in favor of the bill because it aims to close the perceived pay gap between elected officials and average citizens, address public concerns about the high salaries of lawmakers in a nation facing economic difficulties, and reduce government spending and reallocate funds to other vital sectors.
According to Senator Kpehe, his backing puts him in line with those who support the more responsible use of public finances and may help to increase public confidence in the legislature. Senator Kpehe also called for the salaries of directors, ministers, and leaders of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to be cut, even though he has agreed to cut his own.
When top government officials cut their wages as lawmakers, Kpehe believes the government may save more money to finance other important areas. In order to secure the bill’s approval for the benefit of the nation, he has pledged to support Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon in the advocacy.
