By James Papy Kwabo, Jr.
If we are serious about building a better Liberia, then we must start by being honest with ourselves. I have said it before, and I will say it again, the only way additional legislative seats make sense is if lawmakers first reduce their own salaries and benefits to not more than $5,000.
Anything outside of that is simply placing a heavier financial burden on a nation already struggling to meet the basic needs of its people.
Let us look at the reality. It costs roughly US$18,000 every month to maintain just one Representativeβs office. If we add 14 new seats, that becomes US$252,010 monthly.
Over six years, this grows to US$18,144,720. Combine that with the US$94,608,000 already spent on the current 73 seats, and Liberia will be spending over US$112 million,possibly even more.
Now ask yourself, how does that make sense when nurses, teachers, and civil servants are crying for better pay? How do we justify such an expense when thousands of volunteers in hospitals and schools continue to work without any promise of employment? Is this truly how a nation moves forward?I understand that, in principle, expanding representation may seem democratically prudent. But at this moment, given our economic challenges, this move is financially unwise, economically reckless, and frankly insensitive.
Especially now, when international partners like USAID have pulled out, and Sweden has announced its departure, removing critical support from our already fragile systems.
That same US$18 million could be life-changing for the very people who keep this country functioning. It could empower civil servants, finally employ long-suffering volunteers, and strengthen our health and education sectors.
Instead of creating more political elites, we could be easing the burden on the nation.Now that the House of Representatives has passed the bill, I sincerely hope the Senate will take a different stand.
And if the Senate does approve it, then I pray the President will act in the interest of the Liberian people and veto it.
This is not about opposing government. This is about standing up for fairness, responsibility, and patriotism. This is about demanding leadership that reflects sacrifice, not comfort, especially from those who already benefit the most.
I strongly believe, and will continue to say, that no additional seats should be considered unless lawmakers themselves are willing to reduce their salaries and benefits first.
Leadership must start with example.Liberia belongs to all of us, and the decisions we make today will shape the country our children inherit.
Let us choose wisely. Let us choose patriotically. Let us choose the people.#NotTooYoungToLead
