Brown Envelope Explosion

-Sen. Teahjay Admits To Lawmakers Of Receiving ‘Brown Envelops’ Inducements; Promises To Reject Any Brown Envelop if…

By Mark N. Mengonfia

There is always a common African proverb that says “where there is smoke, there is fire”. It has been rumored by some Liberians that members of the Liberian Legislature receive inducements from the Executive branch of government to speedily act on issues of concerns at that august body.

The rumor has been that the executive will send what they call “Brown Envelops” to members of the Legislature act on instruments which will not benefit the majority of the citizens.

This rumor was confirmed recently by one of the members of the Liberian Legislature, Sinoe County Senator J. Milton Teahjay who was elected on the ticket of the opposition Unity Party.

Speaking recently when he appeared on the Liberia Broadcasting System (Bumper Show) to comment on the government soliciting funding to add two additional lanes to the road leading to the Roberts International Airport, Senator Teahjay said the government needs to direct its priorities and not focus on one side of the country when it comes to development.

In a very loud tone, the Sinoe County Lawmaker said he will not give his approbation for any agreement that will seek to improve the RIA to be passed by the Liberian Senate, a body he is a ranking member.

He made it clear that his county, Sinoe along with other southeastern counties is suffering for paved road connectivity, but the Liberian Government has just directed its developmental priorities in one county.

Any contract or agreement to have the Roberts International Airport; the Sinoe Lawmaker vowed to lobby with his colleagues to ensure that it does not have a safe landing ground on Capitol Hill.

“For me, if it goes to the Legislature, I will not vote for it no matter how many brown envelopes behind it, I will not vote for it,” he said it with a vigorous tone.

Members of the Liberian Legislature have been accused by their employers (electorates) that they (Lawmakers) only seek for themselves by receiving inducements from the executive to pass on legislations without proper investigations.