Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives has finally voted to summon top officials of President Joseph Boakai’s cabinet to provide detailed information about the earth-moving equipment the administration has started bringing into the country.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The officials include Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs; Mamaka Bility, Minister of State without Portfolio; Retired General Geraldine George, Minister of Defense; and Col. Davidson T. Forleh, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
The plenary’s decision was based on a request from Rep. Gizzie K. Kollince (District #4, Lofa County), who serves as Chairman of the House Committee on National Defense and Co-Chairman of the House Committee on National Security. In his communication, Rep. Kollince stated that the Executive’s decision to negotiate for such a large quantity of equipment without the Legislature’s approval was tantamount to abrogating the Liberian Constitution, thereby undermining Liberia’s democracy.
The Boakai administration has faced staunch criticism over its handling of the earth-moving equipment. It can be recalled that at the administration’s first cabinet retreat, Minister Bility announced that the government had procured 285 earth-moving equipment or “yellow machines” for road development in the country.
This announcement sparked outrage, with critics accusing the Executive of usurping the Legislature’s functions, which include initiating loan agreements. Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah denied that the government had purchased the equipment. However, over the weekend, Minister Bility paraded with several pieces of equipment released from the National Port Authority, which were reportedly taken to the military barracks for storage.
Rep. Kollince reminded his colleagues that Article 34(d)(i) mandates that all revenue and financial bills originate in the House, and Article 34(d)(iii) mandates that no loan shall be secured except by legislative enactment. He then called for the officials to appear.
“I, therefore, request the Honorable House of Representatives to invite, on Thursday, July 11, the Minister of State, the Minister of State without Portfolio (Hon. Mamaka Dukuly), the Minister of Defense, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia to appear before this Honorable body, testify, and adduce the following into evidence: the Bill of Lading of the subject pieces of equipment; the ownership and title documents for the subject pieces of equipment; the authority to take custody and store the subject equipment; the storage agreement for the subject equipment; and any relevant document that informs the House on the legal status of the subject equipment and their relationship to the government of Liberia.”
FrontPageAfrica observed that the majority of lawmakers expressed support for the purchase of the yellow machines but noted that the machines were not procured in the right way.
The communication garnered substantial debate on the floor. Rep. Clarence Gahr stated that the Executive’s actions were grounds for impeachment. “Mr. Speaker, I stand to be corrected, this is an issue that the nation is watching. This is tantamount to the impeachment of the President. The Constitution clearly states that no branch of government should meddle with the functions of another branch… This is what led to the impeachment of Speaker Edwin Snowe.”
However, Rep. Alfred Flomo (District #4, Grand Bassa County) expressed support for the arrival of the machines. Flomo said that, like much of the rest of the country, his district is plagued with bad roads, and he would not oppose the decision to purchase the machines. He warned that doing so might turn the public against them.
A motion was passed inviting the officials to plenary this Thursday.
