Monrovia – The Speaker of the House of Representatives has offered an ‘Olive Branch’ to former House Speaker J. Alex Tyler and all those members who feel aggrieved as a result of the change of leadership structure at the House of Representatives.
Addressing journalists in Margibi County where he served as Guest Speaker for the Reporters Association of Liberia Elective Congress, J. Emmanuel Nuquay, called on his colleagues to put behind them the political wrangling that divided them and move on with the business of the House with renewed energy .
Recounting the outcome of the Ganta Retreat, the Margibi County Lawmaker said his colleagues returned from the meeting energized and are committed to doing the Liberian people job.
He names Reconciliation , Coordination, Rebuilding the Image of House , Partnership with the Media and Capacity Building to ensure Continuity in governance as his principle objectives as Speaker of the House .
Since theinception of the 53rd legislature, Public sentiments of members ofthe House has continued to be negative because some members of the public havenot understood the workings of the Legislature or are deliberately involvedwith these negative perceptions for political reasons.
The Speaker of the House used the occasion to call on journalists to be the true watchdogs by reporting the facts on the accomplishments of the Legislature as they also report on other critical issues.
The Former Chairman of the House Committee on Ways, Means and Finance pledged to work alone with the Media by building capacity and ensuring a cordial relationship based on mutual respect .
Speaker Nuquay has overtime emphasized the need for continuity in governance by promising to build his colleagues’ capacities for their subsequent reelection come 2017.
“The Training and experience members of the Legislature have gained over the years is a valuable investment we cannot afford to waste.
They know the inter-working of Government and how to get things done. Changing our lawmakers every election undermines this investment and slows down development initiatives.
It has proven that with stable and continues representation in the legislature our constituencies can easily access resources they need to accelerate developments in their areas.
This is why , in the nest year’s election, we will be making the case to the Liberian people to see need to return hardworking and results oriented lawmakers to the capitol in 2018 .” the Speaker said .