Monrovia – Members of the Liberian Senate have observed that the continuous impasse and tussle between authorities at the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) is damaging the image of the country and serving as an obstacle towards the fight against drug and substance trafficking and abuse in Liberia.
By Obediah Johnson, obediah.johnson2frontpageafricaonline.com
Mr. Abraham Kromah is the Director General of the LDEA. His two deputies for Administration and Operations include: Gbawou Kowou and Hassan Fadiga.
For months now, Director Kromah and his deputies have been embroiled into misunderstanding, heated exchanges or tussle for reasons which have not been clearly established.
On Monday, tussle erupted between bodyguards of Director Kromah and Deputy Director Fadiga when he (Fadiga) reportedly attempted carrying his assigned arm in the office of his boss, but was prevented from doing so by agents assigned at Director Kromah’s office.
The incident turned violent when Director Kromah’s security force forcibly disarmed and confiscated the phones of Deputy Director Fadiga.
The incident was put under control following the intervention of the Inspector General of the Liberia National Police (LNP) Colonel Gregory Coleman.
But speaking during a regular session at the Capitol Building in Monrovia on Tuesday, June 4, many of the Senators observed that the persistent misunderstanding and conflict between top brasses of the entity does not augur well for Liberia and its citizens.
Senator Saah Joseph of Montserrado County recalled that authorities of the LDEA request for increment in the entity’s budget to combat against illicit flow and trafficking of drugs in the country.
Senator Joseph maintained that though Senators alluded to the plea from heads of the agency, they continue to make confusion amongst themselves thereby reneging on executing their assigned tasks and responsibilities.
He claimed that the continuous in-house fight and confusion between the trios has brought Liberia to “public disrepute.”
He observed that the current situation shows that heads of the LDEA are losing focus in the fight against drug trafficking, trading and usage in Liberia.
“It seems to be that the three leaders at the LDEA have lost focus. I want to ask this body to instruct the Sergeant-At-Arms to bring them here today. This body has authority. They asked for budgetary support and they were supported, but now they are fighting. We want to fight drugs in this country and then the leadership is gradually losing focus.”
Senator Joseph emphasized that it remains a concern that must demand the attention of the lawmakers and others of the latest scuffle involving heads of the agency and their subordinates.
Also speaking, Senator Nyan Tuan of Nimba County pointed out that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai campaigned on a premise to fight against drug trafficking and usage in Liberia.
As a result of this, he indicated that the government must remain committed to achieving this campaign promise.
He wondered why the LNP that supposed to be protecting the lives of properties of Liberians and foreign residents against crimes and drug users will be protecting the “LDEA against itself.”
“The commitment of this administration to weed out drugs in our communities and society is very strong and as such, the LDEA that should be implementing that vision of this administration is fighting among and against themselves.”
Senator Joseph Jallah observed that authorities of the LDEA are working to the will and pleasure of the Liberian Senate in keeping with the 1986 Liberian Constitution, but the Senate must use its oversight responsibility to help mitigate the matter.
For his part, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Bomi County recounted the many steps taken by President Boakai to combat drug trafficking and trading in Liberia.
He named the declaration of a war on drugs and the taking of a drug test by the Liberian leader as some of the major steps taken by President Boakai to fight against the menace.
Senator Snowe noted that the war against drugs would not be accomplished if decisive actions are not taken to address the consistent tussle between heads of the LDEA.
He pointed out that recent intervention made by him and two other Senators, including Amara Konneh and Darius Dillon with authorities of the agency, did not yield any fruitful results.
He described the current situation at the LDEA as “fragile.”
“When these kinds of things happen in government agencies, we can’t sweep it under the carpet. It will go out of hand. The issue of drugs-every one of us who are parents, guardians and leaders, we know how drugs affect this country. The President must be decisive on this matter.”
Senator Momo Cyrus of Lofa County pointed out a meeting aimed at finding a solution to the matter was convened with vice President Jeremiah Koung and the heads of the LDEA. However, the outcome of the meeting was not revealed.
Lawmaker Cyrus is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs.
Meanwhile, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated the committee to launch an investigation into the matter and report within a two-week period.
