IPNEWS: House Speaker Cllr. Johnathan Fonati Koffa has criticized collusion by the Executive Breach of Government and members of the self-styled ‘Majority bloc’ to block the salary payments of several Lawmakers and their staff.
Speaker Koffa, in a social media post frown on the action by both the Executive and ‘majority bloc’ as inconsistent with upholding the ‘law’ as claimed by members of that bloc.
Speaker Koffa reminded members of the self-styled ‘majority bloc’, that it is uncalled to blocked and denied salaries of Lawmakers and their Staff, especially during this festive month when all should celebrate.
“When they were illegally removing the Speaker many in the political class said “it’s a numbers game; leave the legality, it’s political, move on.” Now they have illegally seized the salaries and benefits of their colleagues and staff during Christmas season. Is this the numbers games too? To not pay the staff whom they believe did not support their illegal acts? Is this a numbers game too?”
“Scores of families are without Christmas because of this numbers game whose rules are set by the “majority”. Is this the country we want? It reminds me of the poem at the Holocaust Museum: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” Speaker Koffa hinted.
Last Firday, December 20, Members of the Majority bloc confirmed that over two million Liberian Dollars, originally designated as December salaries for seven suspended lawmakers, have been deposited into the government’s consolidated account.
Representative James Kolleh confirmed the update, emphasizing that the suspended lawmakers will not receive salaries for December and will remain under suspension for more than three months, in line with the legislature’s decision.
The Majority Bloc, which holds enough numbers to meet quorum and conduct sessions, disputes over the legitimacy of their actions.
Since a Supreme Court ruling on the matter, which directed lawmakers to resolve their differences, the Majority Bloc has taken steps to solidify its control, including suspending four lawmakers for alleged violations of House rules. This brings the total number of suspended lawmakers to seven.
Meanwhile, the speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives has denied being involved in a huge fire at the West African nation’s legislature. The clarification by Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa comes in the wake of allegation by members of the ‘majority bloc’ linking him and other Representatives loyal to upholding the constitution on the side of the speaker.
No-one was in the building at the time of the fire but the authorities have launched an investigation and offered a $5,000 (£3,900) reward for anyone with more information.
The fire occurred on Wednesday morning – a day after plans to remove Koffa from his speaker role sparked a tense protest.
Police chief Gregory Coleman referencing a Facebook post Koffa made during the protests, saying that the speaker must explain it.
Koffa said he would give a written statement about the post but that he had not actually been questioned.
Liberia’s House of Representatives has been beset by a power struggle, in which a faction of lawmakers claims to have removed and replaced Koffa as speaker.
Another group has resisted the action, calling it unconstitutional. A Supreme Court ruling has failed to solve the internal dispute.
