Koffa’s Supporters Fate In Limbo? By: Fiona Benson Kollie
Embattled Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa bloc lawmakers, who were accordingly suspended for alleged misconduct by the colleagues of the majority bloc fate seems to be uncertain, as lawmakers of the majority bloc have refused to grant pardon, maintaining that the suspended colleagues’ actions were unlawful ; as such, there is a need that they be punished in according with the rules governing the House of Representatives. It can be recalled that following months’ long crisis at the House of Representatives over the removal of Speaker Koffa, there have been words of war between lawmakers which accordingly created tension resulting to some members of the House of Representatives being suspended by their colleagues from the majority bloc for three months without pay and benefits. But, with the issue of reconciliation being looked at on the other hand, recentlye Montserrado County District #8 lawmaker, Prince Toles communicated with the plenary of the House of Representatives, under the supervision of majority bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, to see reason and pardon their colleagues, stressing that withholding their colleagues’ salaries and benefits could further impede the functions especially during the time their constituents need their help. He added that though their colleagues were in error it is about time that they reconsider the decision to pardon them for the common good of the country. Also, following the reading of the communication, other lawmakers expressed different opinions on the matter. One those was Maryland County District 2 Lawmaker, Johnson Williams, who told the gathering that the issue of lifting the suspension on their colleagues is a good thing to do but said the communication shouldn’t have come from Rep. Toles, citing that the communication supposed to be written by the suspended lawmakers to sure some level of regrets but not Rep. Toles. He also said if the communication is excepted by plenary, it would give way for more unlawful behaviors among members of the House of Representatives. The Maryland County District 2 Lawmaker also told plenary that the communication written by Rep. Toles was instituted by President Joseph N. Boakai who, to him, is trying to instill peace among lawmakers, following nearly three months of crisis at the House of Representatives. Also speaking was Bong County District 7 Lawmaker, Foley Fahnbulleh, who further appealed that his suspended colleagues be pardoned, stating that though they have misbehaved, it is about time that plenary reconsiders the decision to forgive their colleagues that they have already suffered punishment especially during the season where they were being deprived of their salaries and benefits. ‘We have come here to represent the Liberian people, and it is about time that we excise leadership, and during the past months we have the worst and yet we have prevailed, the Liberian people are looking at us on how we manage this leadership, whether we will extend a friendship to those suspended , although the actions were not proper but we need to exercise some level of leadership by trying to reconsider our colleagues and lift the suspension,’ Rep. Fahnbulleh maintained. Moreover, a motion was made by Margibi County District #5 lawmaker, Clearance Garr, mandating the communication be thrown away and should never return on the agenda any more as it has never been written.
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