27/01/2024
๐๐๐ฉ. ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง; ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐$๐,๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ญ
With a huge expectation from electorate to deliver, exercise transparency and unify the district, Montserrado Countyโs district #4 Representative, Michael M. Thomas, has refuted rumour that he received US$5,000 from the Unity Party for the electorateโs celebration of the inauguration of President Joseph N. Boakai. However, he announced his new position as Chairman on Judiciary in the House of Representatives; writes Ojuku Silver-tongue Kangar, Jr.
โThere is this myth in the district about US$5,000 for every district for preparing our people to go to the inaugural program. Now, that is myth that Michael Thomas received US$5,000; it is blatant lie. I did not receive a dime from anybody,โ Representative Thomas said during a special meeting with former representative-candidates of the district in the just ended election. โIf I have received it, I would have officially announced it to the district and allowed our people to make a decision.โ
In furtherance, Representative Thomas said that he heard that the US$5,000 was given to the districtโs Unity Party leadership for some portion of the money to be used for district office rental fee, and the balance used for the inaugural commemoration because everyone could not attend the program at the Capitol Building.
But the US$5,000 expenditure has sparked a public debate nationwide, as UP partisans are protesting that each district received US$4,000 instead of the US$5,000.
But in a precise tone, Unity Partyโs Chairman, Luther Tarpeh, said the US$1,000 deduction reached the approval of every districtโs leadership nationwide before it was done.
In a related development, Representative Thomas told a team of journalists that he has been appointed by Speaker Fonati Koffa as Chair on Judiciary in the House of Representative.
โWe have concluded the elections at the Legislature and the issue of speakership has been resolved; we voted overwhelmingly, and Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa won the speakership,โ Representative Thomas said. โI have been offered officially as Chairman on Judiciary, which is a leadership position, and I serve as a number five person in the Legislature. So it shows that district #4 has won, and we will benefit.โ
According to the Representative, the rendezvous with the former representative-candidates was in no way for him to cajole them to backout from political participation in the district come 2029โs general elections, but for his leadership to be holistic.
He refreshed the electorateโs minds that hand pump construction, wells digging, electrifying the district community by community, and so on, are underway, citing that all his election promises will not be forgotten, but will be fulfilled gradually. He said the electorateโs plight is his first priority.
