‘Executive Slashed Police Budget, Not Legislature’ -Speaker Tyler Sets Record Straight The Speaker of the House of Representatives, J. Alex Tyler, in an uncompromisingly tone has clarified that budget of the Liberia National Police (LNP) was cut by the Executive, not the Legislature. The Speaker instantaneous clarification last Tuesday, during the 3rd Day Sitting, was owing to the Police Director’s allegation that he proposed amount of US$25m in the 2013/2014 Draft National Budget to enable the police to maintain laws and order across the length and breadth of the country, but regrettably, the budget was slashed by the lawmakers. Speaker Tyler termed the assertion as “totally untrue and that it has the propensity to put the Liberian people against the Legislature.” “It was the Executive Budget Committee that gashed the budget of the police from the stated amount to US$ 14 m and not the Legislature,” Speaker Tyler opined. He added: “We have always increased the budget of the Liberia National Police, and if there has been any cut, it is the Executive and not us.” The LNP boss was summoned by the Plenary of the House of Representatives to give reason for the low presence of police officers across the country. The Police current budget stands at nearly US$16m with a huge part directed to operations rather than logistics and salary for the personnel. The Police Chief was called based on a complaint from Lofa County Rep. Chief Moses Kollie that police officers assigned in the rural parts of the country were abandoning their duties for no justifiable reason placing rural dwellers at security risk. In his communication, Rep. Kollie alleged that as a result of a handful of Police , one person was killed and several properties destroyed during a violent demonstration in Salayea, Lofa County recently. Police had to traveled from Gbarnga , Bong County detachment to quench the public disturbance. Appearing before the Lower House Plenary, Director Masaquoi admitted to the low presence of police officers across the country, but said it was largely due to low budgetary appropriation. He reminded the lawmakers that in order for the Liberia National Police to effectively perform its statutory responsibility in the drive of protecting lives and properties, there is a need for more allotment in the police budget. Responding to the request to the LNP boss, Speaker Tyler assured the Lower House’s fullest support to the police in future budget. However, Police assigned in leeward counties have constantly complained of low incentives and benefits as well as no opportunity to further their education. The matter was further turned over to the House’s Committee on National Security to recommend a suitable benefit adjustment for Police personnel and logistics.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 12:49:51 +0000
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