MONROVIA – Protesting staffers of the House of Representatives have revealed that they have received an additional legislative sitting benefit only once in the past six years under the leadership of Speaker Bhofal Chambers.
By Blamo N. Toe/Contributing Writer
The aggrieved legislative staffers of that august body made this disclosure in the presence of Speaker Bhofal Chambers of the 54th Legislature.
It can be recalled that in late December 2023, President George formally asked members of the 54th Legislature to extend their final sitting by two weeks. During this time, the Executive, through the Ministry of Finance and Development-Planning, submitted the 2024 draft National Budget amounting to US$625.57 million to the body.
At the end of the extra sitting, the Liberian leader subsequently recalled members of the 54th Legislature. However, this time, he nominated Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Cllr. Frank Musa Dean as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court.
Cllr. Dean, if confirmed by the Liberian Senate, will replace the recently controversially retired Associate Justice, Cllr. Joseph Nagbe, who cited unimproved health conditions in his communication sent to President Weah as a reason for his decision.
Also acting on Article 54 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, the Chief Executive further nominated the current Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Dr. Samora Wolokolie, as Commissioner-General of the Liberia Revenue Authority as a replacement for the late LRA Boss, Thomas Doe-Nah.
However, staffers of both Houses (Senate and Representatives), through protest actions, have expressed concerns without better clarity about their benefits from the two extra sittings called by the President of the Republic.
Although the protest began with the Senate Staffers Association, where they prevented Cllr. Dean and Dr. Wolokolie confirmation hearings from proceeding until their benefits are paid, the latest action was demonstrated by the House’s legislative staffers as well.
Our legislative reporter said the aggrieved blocked the main pathway leading to the House of Representatives on the grounds of the Capitol Building in Monrovia, preventing lawmakers’ official vehicles from passing on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Upon the arrival of Speaker Bhofal Chambers, the staffers, in a somber manner, narrated that since President George Weah has been calling the legislators back to an extra sitting which comes with benefits, they had only received payment once.
“Trust me, Honorable Speaker, for the last six years, all the time the President called us back here, only one time we received payment. All the other times, they never reached us (for payment), and for what reason, we don’t know,” a member of the staffers said.
They acknowledged the fact that the President usually pays the legislature whenever they are called back to execute certain national tasks, but such payment of benefits has not trickled down to the staffers who are serving those lawmakers in their various offices up Capitol Hill.
The aggrieved workers maintained that this time, they remain firm with their decision to stage a continuous protest until their benefits are paid before the close of the 54th Legislature.
In response to the staffers, House Speaker Dr. Bhofal Chambers said the challenges surrounding the payment of benefits are also affecting lawmakers, but he noted that Nimba County Electoral District #9 Representative and Chair on the House’s Committee on Rules, Order and Administration, Johnson Gwaikolo, should properly pursue the matter to the end.
“So we have been following up to ensure that you, our colleagues, can be settled. I think the legislature is a parcel, and whatever happens on this side should happen on the other side,” Speaker Chambers noted.
According to him, the President has already instructed the Minister of Finance and Development-Planning, Samuel Tweah, to begin the payment of the staffers through their central administration.
Also speaking, Representative Gwaikolo told the staffers that he should be sitting at home since he was already voted out during the October 10, presidential and legislative elections. Still, he stressed that he has to be on the ground to ensure the task given him by the Speaker is executed.
He promised to work collaboratively with the relevant authorities responsible for the disbursement of funds and ensure that staffers of both houses receive their benefits at the same time.