PHOTO: Deputy Speaker Fonati Koffa
By Mark N. Mengonfi mmenginfia@gmail.com
The new Deputy Speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives, J. Fonati Koffa has raised the need for infusions of 50 Million in the National Budget to help build road in the Southeastern.
Appearing on the state Radio, ELBC’s Super Morning Show on Monday morning (January 18, 20210, Cllr. Koffa said that as a lawmaker from the southeast, he will propose for the inclusion of 50 million in each budget year.
The Deputy Spekar, who has experienced the hardship citizens go through to travel from the southeast to Monrovia, said that the road is very terrible and they as leaders of the area can not wait for loan before taking a decision in the interest of the people.
Rep. Koffa indicated that it takes 19 to 21 hours to get to Grand Kru during dry season and twos to get there during rainy days. Currently, the structure of the Liberian government is such that the President, Pro temporary of the Senate, the Speaker and his Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are all from the southeast.
According to him, there is a compelling need for to prioritize roads adding that because of bad roads, the prices of things in the Southeastern part of the country are double the prices in Monrovia. Few of those who called during the talk show highlighted that with those in key positions coming from the same region, it means a lot for them adding that it will bring them change in the region.
But Deputy Speaker Koffa said he works behind the scenes with indicating that he has a good relationship with the executive and his worry is to ensure that he navigates through the executive for the right things to be done in favor of people of the southeast in general and Grand Kru in particular.
When he was quizzed what they as lawmakers didn’t do well, he said one thing they didn’t do well was to inform the people of Liberia that they are working on their behalf.
Under the leadership of current House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers, that body has recorded the most secret sessions and his leadership has a very poor relationship with the media according to some reporters assigned at the House of Representatives.
The Deputy Speaker however, said that as they have returned, they will engage in what he called effective type of debates and public hearing to allow.
Commenting on the issue of secret sessions, Deputy Speaker Koffa said the only reason that will take them in closed door discussions is security related matters.