Monrovia – Senator Steve Zargo of Lofa County, Chairman of the Senate committee on Defense and Security has warned actors especially those in the Executive branch of Government, responsible to enforce the law to be mindful in handling the Global Witness report with specific reference to the rule of law and public order.
At a news conference held Monday in Monrovia, the Lofa County senator said that no individual is above the law, and that he is in no way against bringing to Justice individuals accused of violating the country laws.
Senator Zargo said: “Notwithstanding, we would never support any process that can be proven to be procedurally erratic, and has the propensity to stir up tension and threaten public order”.
“Let’s keep at the back of our minds that the possibility of terrorists taking advantage of any Public disorder and chaotic situation cannot be ruled out. Liberia being no exception let us take note of the Security Council, the Secretary General and the US envoy comments that Liberia works to improve its security.”
Last week, showing spirit de corps, the House of Representatives and the Senate issued a joint statement, calling on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to instruct the Special Presidential Taskforce to cease attacks on former and current members of the Legislature.
“The Legislature therefore calls on the president to instruct the special Taskforce to cease attacking the person and property of any present or former member of the Legislature while the joint committee carries out the investigation”, the statement issued by the House of Representatives indicated.
The statement from the Legislature came a day after House Speaker, Alex Tyler, reportedly agreed to appear before the Special presidential Task Force which has been set up in the wake of a recent Global Witness report alleging that US$950,000 was paid in bribes by the UK based Sable Mining via the Sherman and Sherman Law firm, owned by Grand Cape Mount County Senator, Varney Sherman, who has also been named in the report as the one instructing payments to top officials of government to change the Public Procurement and Concession Act for Sable to acquire the Wologizi Mountain.
Security empowerment
Senator Zargo wants Government to endeavor and provide training, logistical and other capacity building of the National security sector in general to enable them adequately and professional respond to any situation that would threaten the peace and security of Liberia.
He is recommending a national security dialogue, where former and present elements of the Security sector on one hand, and current actors from sisterly National Security entities on the other hand can sit and dialogue, with the view of taking charge of the country security responsibility at this critical moment of the country security and political transition.
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on 25 May, 2016, to lift the last remaining sanctions on Liberia as a sign of support for the government’s progress toward peace. The Security Council, the Secretary General, and the US envoy stressed that Liberia’s work to improve its security is not finished.
Article 34, b of the Liberian constitution states that the Liberian Legislature is empowered to “Provide for the security of the Public”.
The Lofa County and Liberty Party lawmaker furthered that as chair on Defense and Security and Veteran Affairs having conducted consultations with national security actors and submitted a report to the plenary of the senate he feels obliged to comment on issues relating to national security.
He believes issues permeating the nation National security in recent times have to do with terrorism in West Africa (Mano river basin), UNMIL drawdown, Tamaya vessel, and the saga surrounding the Global witness report of alleged bribery involving Sable Mining Africa limited, some members of the Liberian Legislature and other members of the Executive.
Senator Zargo said, while he is cognizant of the fact that lots of gains have been made in the National Security Arena of Liberia, if Liberians do not conduct the affairs of the state cautiously there is a probability of reversing the gains the country has made in the National security sector.
Henry Karmo (0886522495); [email protected]