Kolleh: Rejects Liberia Staff Gasoline Arrears Claims

• Bong County Representative James M. Kolleh rejected claims that legislative staffers are owed four months of gasoline allocations.
• Kolleh stated that the House of Representatives does not have a four-month outstanding obligation for staff fuel benefits.
• Legislative staffer Chris Kieh maintained that employees have not received gasoline allocations for four months, causing financial difficulties.
• Reported disparities show lawmakers receiving over US$2,225 monthly in gasoline, while staffers receive between US$49 and US$150, though these figures are unverified.
• Kolleh urged media to verify information concerning public institutions and resource use before publishing.

Representative Kolleh firmly asserted that the House of Representatives does not owe its staff four months of gasoline allocations.

Bong County District #2 Representative James M. Kolleh has publicly refuted allegations that legislative employees in Liberia have not received their gasoline allocations for a period of four months. Speaking on Wednesday, September 16, Representative Kolleh, who chairs the House Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, characterized these claims as inaccurate. His statement directly addressed a media report that cited legislative staffers expressing concerns over delays in their monthly fuel benefits.

Representative Kolleh firmly asserted that the House of Representatives does not owe its staff four months of gasoline allocations. He elaborated on the established distribution protocol, explaining that fuel provisions for lawmakers are processed and distributed prior to those designated for legislative staff. However, he maintained that this sequential procedure has not resulted in staffers enduring a four-month lapse in receiving their benefits, directly challenging the notion of significant Kolleh rejects Liberia staff gasoline arrears.

The controversy emerged following statements from legislative staffer Chris Kieh, who informed journalists that employees had indeed gone four months without their gasoline allocations. Kieh highlighted the adverse impact of these delays, noting that the monthly benefit is crucial for staffers to cover transportation costs and other essential household expenses, thereby creating financial hardship.

The ongoing Liberia legislative staff benefits dispute has also brought to light reported discrepancies in the value of gasoline allocations between lawmakers and their support staff. While members of the House of Representatives are said to receive monthly gasoline valued at over US$2,225, staffers reportedly receive allocations ranging from US$49 to US$150. It is important to note that these specific figures detailing the disparity could not be independently verified.

The conflicting narratives from James M. Kolleh statement Liberia and staffer Chris Kieh have intensified scrutiny on legislative staff benefits and the overall administration of House of Representatives gasoline allocations at the Capitol. While Kieh insists that staffers are owed four months of allocations, Bong County Representative Kolleh steadfastly disputes this account, asserting that the House carries no such four-month obligation to its personnel.

In light of the differing reports, Representative Kolleh urged journalists and media organizations to meticulously verify information before publication, particularly when it pertains to public institutions and the utilization of public resources. This call underscores broader concerns about Liberia public resource management and transparency within governmental bodies, emphasizing the need for accurate reporting on matters affecting public funds and employee welfare.

This article reports on an internal administrative dispute within the Liberian House of Representatives regarding staff benefits. It does not present a new legal development, compliance requirement, or actionable legal precedent for lawyers or compliance officers.

Source: Original reporting via New Dawn