Monrovia – The Plenary of the House of Representatives was engulfed with drama when Rep. Adolph Lawrence of Montserrado, District #15, was expelled from Thursday’s session by House Speaker Bhofal Chambers for ‘unruly’ behavior.
Rep. Lawrence was heard calling plenary’s adopted agenda a “trash”, prompting Speaker Chambers to order the Sergeant-at-arms, Brigadier General Martin Johnson to escort the Montserrado County’s lawmaker out of session for what he (Speaker Chambers) termed as his disturbance and unruly behavior.
The drama began following the reading of the agenda by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, Mildred Sayon, and a motion for adoption was filed by Rep. Samuel Kogar (Nimba District #5).
Several lawmakers including Reps. Lawrence and Yekeh Kolubah (Montserrado District #10) raised their hands to amend the motion (either to add, modify or subtract) for subsequent adoption by plenary.
One by one, the lawmakers, except for Reps. Lawrence and Kolubah were recognized by Speaker Chambers and following their amendments, the agenda was adopted through a yea and nay vote.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh 00231777769531 / 00231880881540 / [email protected]
Rep. Lawrence burst on the floor in anger and described the adopted agenda as empty and a trash.
He argued that there were many issues of national concerns that the House could not afford to ignore.
He named the issues of water shortage, lack of essential drugs at major hospital across Liberia, the ongoing impeachment trial and ‘filthy’ Monrovia as matters that needed to be part of the agenda.
Rep. Lawrence has written several communications to House Speaker including a plead for the City Major of Monrovia, Jefferson Koijee to be invited and explained why Monrovia was overwhelmed by dirt and fifths. His communication, however, did not appear on the floor.
Meanwhile, in solidarity with his colleague, Rep. Kolubah walked out of session. He accused the Speaker of constantly ignoring a group of lawmakers who are critical of his leadership.
He noted that all his communication that have been sent to Plenary have always been ignored by the Speaker.
Said Rep Kolubah: “Every communication we send to Plenary on issues of national concern, the Speaker will refuse to put it on the floor. I have written a lot of communication and they have not sufficed. I came to represent the people of District # 10. So, if he can’t allow me to state my state my views, I will not respect him also. I will continue to walk out.”
The Montserrado District No. 10 lawmaker in his recent letter to Speaker Chambers craved Plenary’s indulgence to invite the Chairman of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Mulbah Morlu to back his claims that members of the opposition are in support of an assassination plot against President George Weah.
FPA could not confirm that Rep. Kolubah’s communication has was placed on the floor of plenary during Tuesday’s February 9, 2019 session as the entire session was held behind closed doors.
Though the Constitution gives the authority to the Speaker to recognize any lawmaker at his discretion, he has come under staunch criticisms for ignoring a segment of lawmakers who criticize his leadership style. Many of his colleagues have openly criticized the Speaker, who was elected on a white ballot in 2018 of being inept to preside over Plenary.