-Koffa ponders over “Majority Bloc” seizure of salaries
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – Embattled House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa expressed his outrage over the recent political turmoil that has led to the withholding of salaries and benefits for lawmakers and staff during the Christmas season.
Koffa criticized the political class for dismissing legal protocols in favor of a “numbers game” mentality, stating, “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.’” He lamented that this same disregard for legality has now resulted in colleagues and staff being deprived of their salaries, particularly during a time traditionally associated with giving and family.
“Scores of families are without Christmas because of this numbers game whose rules are set by the ‘majority,’” Koffa continued. “Is this the country we want? Is this a numbers game, too? To not pay the staff whom they believe did not support their illegal acts?”
Drawing a parallel to historical injustices, Koffa referenced a poignant poem from the Holocaust Museum, highlighting the dangers of silence in the face of wrongdoing. He recited lines that reflect on the consequences of inaction: “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.”
“Majority Bloc” debunks
Hours after Koffa claimed staff salaries were being seized, the “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives rejected the allegations. The bloc clarified that the Office of the Speaker employs over 60 staff members. Following what it considers the transition of leadership, these staff members are no longer under the former Speaker’s supervision. The “new Speaker,” Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has assumed responsibility for these personnel, a standard procedure during leadership changes within the House.
As an ordinary lawmaker representing Grand Kru County Electoral District #2, Koffa is entitled to maintain a staff of 16 individuals by House policy. The leadership emphasized that a formal request was made by Hon. James Kolleh, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, Order, and Administration, to Koffa a week ago. This request sought the submission of the names of his entitled staff members to facilitate the processing of their salaries, which are scheduled to begin in December 2024.
The Suspensions
In what it considers as adherence to the House Rules and Procedures, specifically Rule 48.7(c), the “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives on December 13, 2024, suspended four of its members for violations.
The suspended members are Rep. Frank Saah Foko Jr of Montserrado County Electoral District 9, Rep. Eugine K.M. Kollie of Bong County Electoral District 5, Rep. Zinnah Norman of Gbarpolu County Electoral District, and Rep. Alex S. Noah of Sinoe County Electoral District 3.
Rule 48.7 States: The House may, according to the circumstances and degree of breach, take the following measures: b. it may give a written warning d. it may expel a member from the House where the breach is very stop the payment of salary and allowances due him/her for the c. It may suspend a member for not more than 30 days of the meeting, days of suspension, as the case may be; d. it may give an oral warning, serious, or where it is committed repeatedly.
The suspension spans a period of thirty session days. During this time, the affected lawmakers will forfeit all benefits, including salaries. Additionally, a motion filed by Nimba County Electoral District 2 Representative NyanFlomo mandates that the suspended members are not to be seen within the premises of the Capitol Building for the duration of their suspension.
Also, on November 19, 2024, Montserrado County District #13 Representative Edward P. Flomo, District #14 Representative Abu Kamara, and Bong County District #3 Representative Marvin Cole were suspended by the “Majority Bloc” of the House of Representatives for a period of one month. The suspension, according to the bloc, was a result of acts of misconduct exhibited by the lawmakers. The decision was reached unanimously, although three lawmakers chose to abstain from the vote.
The unstable HoR
The House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature has been embroiled in a significant leadership crisis for over two months. Tensions escalated on October 17, 2024, when 47 members of the 55th Legislature attempted to oust Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, citing allegations of misconduct and administrative incompetence.
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Representative Richard Nagbe Koon of Montserrado County District #11 was controversially elected and inducted as the “new Speaker” of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia. The Executive Branch and the Liberian Senate have since endorsed the self-styled “Majority Bloc,” further complicating the political landscape.
