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Maryland County Senator John Ballout has written the full plenary of the Liberian Senate on issue that he said has ''crept under the radar of the Senate for too long''. Senator Ballout said discrepancies of salaries and allowances in government has depressed and suppressed the living condition of ordinary Liberian.

Senator Ballout stated in his letter that the Senate is faced with a challenge of prioritising government spending and strategic application of government resources towards the well-being of the citizens.

He however praised the working condition of the Government since 2006 by taking up the national expenditure budget from 80 million to 649 million dollars which implied enhancing the living condition of least paid citizens so as to improve their living standards.

The Senator said it was unfortunate that some government institutions have been empowering themselves by establishing what he called ''Astronomical Salaries, Allowances and other fringe benefits amounting to US$10,000, US$ 20,000 and even US$25,000 while civil servant salaries remains low; this act, according to Sen. Ballout is ''unacceptable''!

The Maryland County lawmaker's communication pleaded with the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to institute a ''Holistic review'' of salaries and Allowances of all government institutions in solidarity with the ordinary citizens with a goal of making salaries of enterprises more realistic in conformity with the best practice in government. Senator Ballout in his communication to his colleagues during the 40th day sitting of the Liberian senate said such step by the Senate will ensure a ''political, Social and Economic Harmony''.

Many Senators welcomed the step taking by Senator Ballout to bring this crucial issue of national concern to the attention of the Liberian Senate. To further support Sen. Ballout's communication, Nimba County Senator Thomas Grupee said the only remaining option for the Senate is to effectively cut off necessary budget lines for said institutions as a deterrence.

For his part,Senator Sumo Kupee of Lofa County welcoming the communication noted '' let's set up a smaller Committee to review the matter as we all consider it very important. his suggestion led the Senate to set up a three men committee headed by Grand Gedeh County Senator, G. Alphonso Gaye to critically look into all Liberia State own enterprises' salaries and allowances. Other members of the committee includes Sen. Jewel Howard Taylor of Bong County and Sen. J. Jonathan Banney of River Cess County. The three men committee is expected to report its findings to the full plenary of the Liberian Senate on the 26 of June for appropriate action.
By Our Staff Writer, Helroz Zorleh