GANTA – Amidst looming financial constraints, particularly following the suspension of aid assistance from the United States government, Nimba County District 7 Representative Musa Hassan Bility has announced a 50% cut in his salary and other benefits.
From this month [February] to December, the Nimba County lawmaker will take home only half of his monthly salary and benefits, while the remaining 50% will be allocated to service delivery initiatives in his district, particularly in health, education, and security.
As he leads by example, Representative Bility has called on his colleagues in the 55th Legislature to follow suit.
“I am voluntarily reducing my salary and benefits by 50% and urge my fellow lawmakers to do the same. Furthermore, I will ensure that these funds are allocated to specific areas that directly impact the people of my district,” he announced.
According to Bility, this decision was made in consultation with authorities at the Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center, one of the district’s two major health facilities. He explained that the move is aimed at bolstering the hospital’s budget, which was recently slashed from $120,000 to $75,000.
As part of efforts to alleviate the facility’s many challenges, the lawmaker also revealed that a portion of his salary and benefits from February to December will be used to purchase a vehicle for the hospital.
Though Bility did not specify the exact mechanism through which the funds would be directed to the hospital, he emphasized that his action is not just about making financial contributions but a “demonstration of leadership, patriotism, and selflessness.”
The Nimba County District 7 Representative, who also serves as Chairman of the “Rule of Law Caucus” in the House of Representatives, reminded his colleagues, the Chief Justice, and the Judiciary of the economic shock that the abrupt loss of U.S. aid could cause. He challenged them to take “proactive steps to cushion its impact.”
“USAID has been instrumental in Liberia’s post-war recovery and ongoing development. The looming cuts present a defining moment for us to establish economic discipline and reinforce our commitment to the people we serve,” Bility stressed.
He also commended President Joseph Nyumah Boakai for his efforts in ensuring that the Executive Branch recognizes the pending economic challenges and acts accordingly.
However, it remains unclear what plans Bility has for other parts of his district, particularly in health, education, and security, as his announcement singled out the Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center as the primary beneficiary of his salary reduction. The district, which comprises four chiefdoms and several large towns, is home to two major health facilities: the Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center and the Zoe-Geh Medical Center, located in Saclepea and Bahn, respectively.
Despite this, in his February 5 announcement, Representative Bility only mentioned the Saclepea Comprehensive Health Center as a beneficiary of his 50% salary reduction for the next eleven months.
It is also unclear whether the initiative will extend beyond December 2025 or if other sectors of the district will benefit, as Bility has yet to outline plans for broader allocations.
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