Capitol Hill, Monrovia – As top officials of the Boakai-Koung administration appear before the plenary of the House of Representatives today over the controversial importation of yellow machines, FrontPage Africa has gathered that ruling party lawmakers are lobbying their colleagues to find a compromise with the executive to pave the way for the full procurement of the machines.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
On Tuesday, the plenary voted to summon officials, including Sylvester Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs; Mamaka Bility, Minister of State without Portfolio; Retired General Geraldine George, Minister of Defense; Col. Davidson T. Forleh, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia; and Sekou Dukuly, Managing Director of the National Port Authority.
The plenary’s decision was based on a request from Rep. Gizzie K. Kollince (District #4, Lofa County), 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.
In the motion passed, the officials are to appear today with documents including the Bill of Lading of the equipment; the ownership and title documents for the equipment; the authority to take custody and store the subject equipment; the storage agreement; and any relevant documents that inform the House on the legal status of the subject equipment and their relationship to the government of Liberia.
During the deliberations, while the majority of lawmakers expressed their dissatisfaction with the executive for not involving the Legislature as called for by the constitution, some openly expressed their support.
“I want to say this clearly, we have invited the officials responsible for these machines, but I want to urge all lawmakers that the Liberian people are looking at us,” cautioned Rep. Alfred Flomo, (District #4, Grand Bassa County). He added: “In the past there have been so many corruptions in this country. Any attempt by lawmakers or any citizen to deprive the Liberian people of these equipment, Liberia will go completely against us. Our people are suffering. They need roads.”
FrontPageAfrica has gathered that ruling party lawmakers are not sitting idly. Since Tuesday, sources said they have been engaged in intense lobbying at Capitol Hill.
“I’m in favor of the machines but hope that those procedural errors can be corrected out of respect for the rule of law,” said Rep. Dorwohn Gleekia (District #6, Nimba County). “This is a loan that we have to pay for as a country. So, we need to be careful and respect our laws. The Legislature needs to give the authorization.”
His colleague, Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh (District #7, Bong), shared similar sentiments. “I have an issue, but it is not from the standpoint that the machines should not come, no. It is the issue of procedures.” Rep. Fahnbulleh said it was too early to preempt and called on members to hold their opinions until the officials can appear.
Top UP lawmaker Richard Koon was reached for comments via phone, but he did not respond. He also did not respond to WhatsApp messages.
The Speaker of the House, responding to his colleagues’ comments ahead of the officials’ appearance, said each member represents a constituency and is entitled to his or her opinion. During the session on Tuesday, he said: “This is not an issue about machines for development. It is about whether or not we follow the laws we made in order to develop our country. And we will conduct this inquiry in a specific and unified manner without emotions. We will bring in the witnesses and get their perspectives and their positions on the matter. We will not overly speculate. We will go where the evidence leads us.”