Monrovia – Twist and turns at the Capitol involving members of the House of Representatives who are divided over a power struggle to unseat House Speaker Alex Tyler is now creating fear among some citizens in the country with the latest concern coming from the religious community, where a Liberian Prelate, P. Manasseh Conto has stressed the need for internal wrangling among that august body to be resolved.
Report by Willie N. Tokpah – [email protected]
Bishop Conto who supervises the Mission for Today Holy Church in New Kru Town said there is no constitutional reliance backing the action of lawmakers seeking the removal of Speaker Tyler, urging Representatives in the fight to avoid medium that seems unconstitutional.
“Liberia is a country of law, not violence and anything we want to do should be in line with the constitution as a civilized country.
The Anti-Tyler group has their side of the debate but the chambers is where they are to do the Liberian people business, so let them go to the chambers and raise their issue”, said Conto.
In a conversation with FrontPageAfrica Thursday, Conto said the current rigmarole among the so-called “Majority and Minority” members of the lower house has thwarted normal workings in Liberia which might negatively affect the country if nothing is done speedily.
According to him, the situation has among other things, impeded proceedings leading to the passage of the 2016/2017 national budget, thus welcoming financial constraint across the country and the intervention of Liberians is necessary.
“I think there should be some interventions by Liberians into this situation because if this continues, they might go for break and come back for the state of the nation’s address without the budget being passed, this will stall other developments”, Bishop Conto stated.
The situation, he said, will also have a negative impact on Liberia’s educational activities as a result of parents being unable to pay their children’s school fees saying, “Without the passage of the budget, you won’t have government paying salaries and school is about to open, how do parents pay the fees of their children? So something needs to be done.”
The Liberian Prelate has also criticized the ruling Unity Party for taking a side in the ongoing power struggle at the House of Representatives, admonishing the party not to be bias in critical situation that involves constitutional implication.
The ruling Unity Party in a communication issued Wednesday, August 17, 2016 declared that prevailing struggle at the Capitol is undermining the implementation of the national development agenda of Liberia, expressing fear that only sixteen months is left for the end of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration, pointing out that Speaker Tyler has lost the confidence and public trust of his colleagues.
The communication quotes UP National Chairman Wilmot J.M. Paye and Secretary General Eugene Nagbe, “The Unity Party therefore avers that Speaker Alex Tyler has lost legitimacy, the confidence of his colleagues and the public trust and therefore supports a leadership change in the House of Representatives.”
But Bishop Conto believes that the UP’s stance will further worsen the situation and at the same time create division amongst policymakers instead of handling it peacefully.
“I don’t think they should come up with such a statement. If you tell someone recuse yourself, it is not by force but by constitutional means. We all stand for morality but if the Speaker should recuse himself, it should be done legally”, Bishop Conto registered.
He noted that the situation can be taken another trend, from issue of morality to personal interest, lashing at some lawmakers who have allegedly taken bribes to unseat Speaker Tyler.
“I have a recording of some lawmakers allegedly speaking about receiving five thousand, so if the issue of morality comes in then let the President, the Speaker and all those lawmakers who voices were heard on that tape be investigated in accordance with the law because under our law bribery is a crime”, the prelate argued.
He warned against the issue of personal interest and biases if Liberia democracy is to work, well adding that Speaker Tyler stands a better ground than those agitating for his removal, hence calling for the law to take its course.
Pre-campaign Indictment
Conto, who has been in the media for his alleged involvement in the disappearance of US$155,930 from the Korea Trading Corporation, has termed his proceeding as a pre-campaign to unseat the incumbent lawmaker of Montserrado County District Number 16, Edward Forh, in the 2017 general and Presidential elections.
“There is a saying that there is no game without pain. That indictment was masterminded with the sole intent to deter me and make me unpopular with the people but what it has done is reenergized me and I am contesting for the Montserrado County district 16 seat in 2017”, Bishop Conto averred.
The Bishop has in the same vein outlined undertakings that serve as a path for smooth transition in the district ahead of the pending elections, naming the awarding of a scholarship estimated at L$120,000 to Junior and Senior High schools as well as night schools in the district.
Moreover, he informed reporters about his effort in improving the offices of the Federation of Borough Youth as well as presentation of an initial L$669,575 in enabling them carry out other personal projects.
Support to Security Apparatus
He expressed fear over Liberia’s security system, especially after UNMIL drawdown from the country.
He said there is a need to increase the incentives of security personnel in the country to serve as an encouragement for more young people to move to the sector with the aim of strengthening security apparatus.
Bishop Conto said it is laughable that government is bringing in Nigerian soldiers to bolster state security ahead of the pending 2017 elections which seems crucial.
“Why would government allow UNMIL to leave and bring in foreign security? It would have been better for UNMIL to stay than leaving if there is security threat”, Bishop Conto mentioned.