-Lawmakers say he’s limited to Legislative norms, practices
By Mark N. Mengonfia- mmenginfia@gmail.com
Members of the Independent Legislative Causes (LIC) of the 54th Legislature have officially responded to recent statement attributed to House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers calling them “Regalia-Wearing Lawmakers”.
The ILC is a body formed to uphold protect, sanity and sanctity of the Liberian legislature.
According to them, the Speaker asserted in his statement that they (ILC) members have lost focus of their legislative responsivities and are bent on destabilizing the first branch of the Liberian government.
In their press release issued on Thursday, the Independent Legislative Caucus said that the Speaker of the House of Representatives also accused them of bringing that body to public ridicule and such called on the constituents to recall them.
The release was signed by Representatives Larry P. Younqua of Nimba County, Laurence Morris of Montserrado, Cllr. Beyan D. Howard of Lofa, Rustonlyn S. Dennis of Montserrado, Thomas A Goshua, II of Grand Bassa, among others.
This is just the latest in a series of public row between Speaker Chambers and some of his colleagues in the House of Representatives, who have persistently criticized him for allegedly allowing himself to be dictated to by President Weah and unilaterally running the affairs of the body in violation of its rules.
They said such comments coming from Speaker Chambers is not only laughable, but speaks to his limitations of the legislative norms and has further made ridicule of himself by even spewing it on public radio.
“Speaker Chambers spoke about regalia wearing lawmakers that have no constitutional backing, but failed to state who organized the Qatar legislative caucus; a group of lawmakers that has shared interest and travelled to Qatar with him and upon their return wore their regalia (white Arabic dress) in session to present a report,” the Independent Lawmaker said in their release.
“We are governed by the Rules adopted by the 54th House of Representative. We are not formed to fight anybody or any branch of government for that matter as is being insinuated by some misguided individuals,” the release from the Independent Legislative Caucus said.
The ILC went on to say that they as members of the Liberian legislature need to focus on the more pressing issues affecting Liberia with the current growth of Liberia economy as low as 0.4% from 4.7 % accounting to the just ended IMF report on Liberia.
The group said they will continue to thrive by continually speaking to their colleagues about their distinctive responsibility of the Liberian people.
“As a matter of fact, we have spoken to some senators who have brought the ideology of the Caucus and have agreed to join us also,” they said.