MONROVIA – The newly inducted Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veterans Affairs Senator Cyrus Momo has vowed to exercise his oversight responsibility to curb the mysterious disappearance of citizens in Liberia.
By Obediah Johnson
Senator Momo vowed to ensure that mysterious disappearances of Liberians and others will not be swept under the carpet as was done in the past.
He promised to ensure that perpetrators or those linked to disappearances will be brought to book and prosecuted.
He made these comments during regular session in the Chambers of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, January 16, 2023.
Senator Momo further called for more logistical and financial support to be given to state security apparatus in Liberia.
He added that government and others cannot expect the police to work assiduously, in the midst of inadequate logistical support.
He observed that the salaries of state security actors are not being paid on time by government.
This, Senator Momo added, is contributing to the increase in corruption in the police.
“I started my work as soon as I was inducted. I was at the police station yesterday. I have a 32-year strength in intelligence (gathering). In this country, nobody will go missing without a proper investigation and the culprit found, prosecuted and sentenced.”
“We need to empower our colleagues in the national security. You cannot expect the police to work when they do not have the logistics and their salaries are not coming on time. My plea to my colleagues is, let’s give the security apparatus what they need then we can monitor and chastise them when they do not give us the results.”
Senator Momo maintained that security is the first line of defense and as such, supporting the sector must not be downplayed or overlooked.
He used the occasion to express gratitude to his colleagues for his election as the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs on white ballot.
Speaking further, Senator Momo underscored the need for the empowerment of women and the improvement of the country’s health system.
According to him, the empowerment of women must be on the agenda of not only the government, but other elected public officials.
Senator Momo observed that women empowerment through adequate support to grow their businesses or production, remains key on his agenda.
He observed that many men who are educated and have technical skills are jobless in Liberia, but most often look up to their women to provide for their respective homes.
Senator Momo added that these women are also filling in the gap by paying the fees of their children attending schools and universities as back up to their respective husbands.
“If you empower a woman, you are empowering a household and by extension the community and the nation. The women are the ones who are taking care of their husbands. When the kids are not in school or sick, the mothers are the ones that suffer the lashes. And so, women empowerment remains key for us in Lofa County and I will do that.”
Senator Momo emphasized that women continue to face numerous challenges in the Liberian society and as such, they must be empowered and supported to realize their full potential.
“I have seen and heard some terrible stories about mothers. We have seen women given birth on their way to the hospital or motorbike or whatever means they are using to get to the hospitals because of difficulties in getting there.”
He promised to provide an ambulance to each of the 54 health facilities in the county within a three-year period.
Senator Momo further vowed to ensure the construction of a vocational and technical college in Kolahun within a five year period.
He assured to go knocking on doors to lure support and help towards the many problems confronting his constituents.
Senator Momo stressed the need for the route between Salayea to Voinjama to be speedily constructed to boost economic and other activities in the region.
He observed that without any political connection, citizens of the county elected him to represent their interest at the 55th National Legislature.
“I will depend on this Senate and my negotiating skills to contact friendly governments and friends to ensure that the road from Salayea to Voinjama is plyable in one year.”
He called on Senators to help discourage the “trucking” of voters during electioneering period in Liberia.
“Let’s discourage trucking during our electoral processes. We have to change our behaviours and attitudes here.”
Senator Momo further pointed out that his decision taken to contest for an elected position is not to accumulate wealth or make fabulous salaries, but to serve his people with distinction.
He said though he would not be disrespectful to his colleagues and others during legislative deliberations, he will “speak truth to power” for the liberation of Liberia and the benefit of those who elected him at the National Legislature.
