In Liberia, senator donates half of salary to his constituency

In Liberia, opposition politician Abraham Darius Dillion announced that he had imposed a wage cut on himself. The New Liberty Party senator declared at his inauguration that he would not take more than $5,000 a month.

He promised to put the rest of his monthly earnings into a separate account for the benefit of his constituency.

Abraham Darius Dillion joined the Senate after defeating President George Weah’s candidate in a crucial by-election last month. He also declared his assets before taking office, an unprecedented decision in Liberian politics.

In recent years, there has been a public outcry about the monthly salaries of Liberian lawmakers ranging from $ 12,000 to $ 15,000, but they have ignored it. And yet, civil servants are paid only $125 per month, and more than half of the population lives below the poverty line in Liberia, according to the World Bank.