Monrovia – Many partisans of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) thought May 17, was set aside for only the nomination of two of the party’s best partisans to represent them in the two upcoming by-elections of Montserrado County, but they also embraced the membership of one of Liberia’s top politicians.
Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie announced his membership on Friday.
His decision comes just in time when the CDC needs every support and solidarity as they head to elections to reclaim a seat in the Senate that has been held by them since 2005.
His declaration of membership further supports argument raised by critics that with the exception of Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, who is from Northern Liberia Bong County, three top officials of the CDC government are from the southeast.
Chie won in 2014 as an independent candidate replacing retired Grand Kru Senator Cletus Wortorson. He was later elected Pro-Tempore of the Senate after the 2017 presidential and general elections, succeeding Senator Armah Jallah of Gbapolu County.
Chie declaration of Membership for the CDC also gives the government a strong grip on the entire leadership of the 54th Legislature, as his counterpart House Speaker Bhofal Chambers has been a long time member of the CDC since he broke ranks with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Unity party.
Declaring his membership officially on Friday, May 12, at the D. Tweh High School football field in the Borough of New Kru Town, the Pro-Tempore called on Liberians to work together in tackling the economic woes.
Chie, who shares his native Grand Kru County with President George Weah, notes that while the country faces one of its tough times in recent history with the economy, the problem developed since 2013, during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
According to him, it is appalling for some people in some quarters of the
country to shift blame on the current administration.
Senator Chie, once an executive member of the former ruling Unity Party, said the country started experiencing tough condition when prices of its natural resources on the world market started to drop, coupled with the departure of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) the closure of many international companies and non-governmental organizations, including outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease.
He contends that many concession agreements signed during the Johnson Sirleaf’s administration barely exists, as most of the companies have returned probably due to other factors, noting that these are some of the contributing factors to the downward trend of the economy.
According to Liberia Extractive and Initiative Transparency Industry (LEITI) 2013 report, about 68 Concession Agreements were signed in Liberia, but only six (6) were done in compliance with the law.
Meanwhile, Senator Chie has presented a twin cabin (4-door) pickup to the CDC national leadership for the two impending by-elections in Montserrado County.
Friday’s occasion also saw Mr. David Kortee, a former stalwart of the ex-ruling Unity Party, taking up a full membership card with the ruling party.
Also a former lawmaker from Lofa County, Mr. Kortee said that his decision to come over is based on the developmental approach of President Weah especially his focus on road connectivity.
With the declaration of membership by the Senate Pro-Tempore to the ruling establishment, it is now clear that the three politically powerful officials namely: President Weah, Speaker Bhofal Chambers and now Pro-Tempore Chie are all from southeastern Liberia. CDC national chairman Mulbah Morlu welcomed Senator Chie to the party and assures him of the party’s willingness to utilize his expertise when deem necessary.