Monrovia – The former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary, Worlea Saywah Dunah, has attributed the lack of check and balance in the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of President George Manneh Weah to the alleged failure of members of the 54th National Legislature to exercise their oversight responsibility effectively.
Mr. Dunah, who represented one of Nimba County’s electoral districts in the 53rd National Legislature, claims that members of the 54th National Legislature are not vigilant in carrying out their oversight responsibility by checkmating officials of the Executive, including Ministers, Directors, and Heads of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), among others.
He attributed the situation to the high level of partisanship among members of the first branch of government, and the desire of some lawmakers to proffer personal issues aimed at seeking public attention.
He maintained that most often lawmakers propound on issues only intended to keep them in the news frequently, instead of championing the plights of their constituents.
Mr. Dunah pointed out that for the past two years, it remains quite difficult for public officials to appear before relevant committees of both the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate and are thoroughly scrutinized and interrogated on issues of national concerns.
“When it comes to oversight, lawmakers of the 54th Legislature have not been vigilant as compare to the 53rd. In terms of calling Ministers to Committee Rooms and dealing with national issues, they have not been vigorous in the last two years. I feel that there is a low down on their effectiveness when it comes to oversight,” he claims.
Mr. Dunah maintained that unlike the 53rd Legislature, where members did not give the former ruling party an easy ground in terms of proceeding and exercising their oversight responsibility, the 54th National Legislature has failed to act similarly.
“The 53rd had higher percentage of veteran lawmakers’ crossing over. The ruling Unity Party then did not have a comfortable majority and a high degree of control in terms of proceedings. But I think the 53rd was more vigilant in the discharge of oversight over the Executive in terms of the running of the government; not the 54th,” he said.
Speaking further, the former Nimba County lawmaker underscored the need for reformation and modernization of the national Legislature to ensure efficient and effectiveness.
According to him, more than 60 staffs at the central administration of the Legislature have passed the retirement age.
Mr. Dunah stated that the situation is also hampering the passage of key legislations at the Legislature.
“The recruitment of new staffs will make committees works more effective. The low return of some lawmakers after elections is also hampering legislations. More freshmen are always coming in. if you check how many lawmakers on third term in the lower House, they will not reach five,” he suggested.