23/10/2025
Liberian Educator Brands Lawmakers’ Vehicle Purchase Plan as Evil and Heartless
By: DWilson Nornie
A Liberian educator and two-time Ministry of Education award winner, Mr. Philip Nyaibei Lepolu Mulbah, has condemned the reported proposal by members of the House of Representatives to purchase 73 vehicles valued at US$15,000 each for their Chiefs of Office Staff (COS).
Speaking on Super B**gese Radio on Wednesday, October 22, during the Education Forum edition, Mr. Mulbah described the move as evil, devilish, and a complete abuse of power, arguing that such spending demonstrates a disregard for Liberia’s struggling education sector and other critical national priorities.
Mr. Mulbah emphasized that children are walking long distances to get to school because there are no public buses, while teachers spend nearly half their salaries on transportation just to go teach in rural areas.
He said that prioritizing vehicle purchases for Chiefs of Office Staff instead of investing in education is an act of misplaced priorities and insensitivity to the realities facing ordinary Liberians.
He pointed out that children from communities like Gboveh Hill, Melekie, and Phebe face financial and physical barriers to education, with some paying nearly L$200 per day in transportation costs, noting that every capital city in Liberia should have at least one public school bus, but none currently exist.
Highlighting the difficult conditions faced by teachers, Mr. Mulbah explained that some earn as little as L$15,000 monthly, yet spend up to L$7,000 on transportation to schools in rural areas such as Blameyea and K. Diabolo Public School in Weinsue Town.
According to him, a teacher paying L$400 daily for transport, five days a week, ends up losing nearly half of their income, yet lawmakers continue to prioritize luxury over necessity.
Mr. Mulbah also referenced the poor state of roads in rural Liberia, such as the B**g's Electoral District #5 Gbartala-Fenutolee route, describing it as unsafe and inaccessible for vehicles.
The Liberian educator recalled an incident where he was thrown off a motorbike into a stream while traveling along the Gbartala-Fenutolee road.
He noted that residents in Fenutolee, Tongbonyah Clan, and other remote communities are still struggling to access basic services due to deplorable road conditions.
He lamented that while children sit on bricks and broken chairs in dilapidated classrooms, the lawmakers’ Chiefs of Office Staff already earn between US$400 and US$500, while teachers with bachelor’s degrees make less than L$15,000.
According to him, the lawmakers’ decision to purchase vehicles for their staff is inappropriate and heartless, particularly in the midst of Liberia’s challenging educational environment.
Mr. Mulbah praised Nimba County Representative Taa Wongbe for being the only lawmaker who has publicly opposed the plan, describing him as a courageous voice who recognizes the gravity of the situation.
He urged national leaders to redirect resources toward education, infrastructure, and public welfare, emphasizing that Liberia’s progress depends on investing in its people rather than in luxury vehicles for political appointees.
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