Saturday, May 25, 2013 11:07 
Budgetary Allotments For 2 Cities Spark Concern...Lawmaker Wants All Cities Included
Story by Alva M. Wolokolie
Photo Credit:
As the National Legislature commenced the scrutiny of the draft National budget for the fiscal year 2012/2013, Bong County District #6 Rep. Adam Bill Corneh has cautioned his colleagues to inject monetary allocations in the budget for all city governments in the country so as to provide job opportunities for the entire citizenry.
In a complaint filed to Plenary on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, Rep. Corneh described the allotment made by the Executive for Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) as an indication of gross violation of the constitutional provision that all cities are the same and were enacted by law.
Rep. Corneh quoted Article 34 of the organic law which states that the Legislature shall have the power to create new counties and other political sub-divisions and re-adjust existing counties. He added that Article 18 also mentioned that all Liberian citizens shall have the equal opportunity for work and employment regardless of sex, creed, religion, ethnic background, place of origin or political affiliations and all shall be entitled to equal pay for equal work.
The Bong County lawmaker pointed out that page 318 and 325 of the draft budget submitted by the Ministry of Finance showed that Monrovia City Corporation (MCC) and Paynesville City Corporation (PCC) are the only cities provided for in the tune of USD$7,666,978.00 (Seven million six hundred and sixty seven thousand nine hundred and seventy eight dollars) exclusive of the rest of the cities in and around the country.
Rep. Corneh however appealed to plenary to see reasons and make budgetary appropriation for other cities in the country and not just Monrovia and Paynesville as it has been done by the Ministry of Finance.
After his communication was read on the floor of the chamber, a motion was made that his letter should be accepted and turned over to the committees on Ways, Means, and Finance for action.
