Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-23 01:56:00
The House of Representatives recently made a significant decision to invite the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and the Minister of Finance and Development Planning to provide updates about President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s travel. This decision, which took place on Thursday, 22 February 2024, was prompted by a communication from Yekeh Kolubah, the controversial Montserrado County Electoral District #10 Representative who supported Boakai’s presidential bid.
In his communication, Kolubah called for the two ministers to clarify the details of the president’s travels. The discussion began when Clarence Garr, the Margibi County Electoral District #5 Representative, motioned for Kolubah’s communication to be opened for discussion. This motion was met with opposition from Nimba County Electoral District #6 Representative Dorwohn Gleekia and Bong County Electoral District #7 Representative Foday Fahnbulleh. They argued that lawmakers do not have the right to question the President’s travel.
Gleekia and Fahnbulleh emphasized the importance of the President and the role he plays, expressing their readiness to vote on the matter if their colleagues could understand this. In a heated exchange, Fahnbulleh provoked members of the opposition Congress for Democracy Change (CDC), leading to a tense debate that prompted the Presiding Officer, Deputy House Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, to ask Rep. Gleekia to leave the Chambers.
Representative Saah Foko of Montserrado County Electoral District #9 emphasized the need for clarity on President Boakai’s travel, given his previous statements about living on a loan and not having money. Kolubah’s communication highlighted the concerns of corruption, lack of accountability, and transparency, which he believed led to the failure of the Weah-led Government.
Kolubah also raised questions about the President and Vice President’s working visits to Ghana and Nigeria, respectively, and expressed the need for clarity on the cost of these travels. He particularly cited concerns about the Vice President reportedly traveling on a private jet, further urging the House to invite the Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to provide detailed information about the travel costs.
The decision to invite the two ministers came after President Boakai had previously informed the legislature about his two-day working visit to Ghana and the Vice President’s working visits to Nigeria and Casablanca. Kolubah’s communication reflected the belief that these trips should require government sponsorship, and if not, it is the people’s deputies’ responsibility to know.
The communication underscored the need for transparency and accountability in government spending, especially in relation to high-profile officials’ travels. The House of Representatives’ decision to seek clarity on these matters demonstrates a commitment to upholding transparency and ensuring that government spending aligns with the public interest.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
