–Settles For Chief Of Staff Job In Speaker Koon’s Office
It is often said it is seemingly impossible for politicians to stay out of government for long. This statement appears to be true by the day as politicians of old days continue to line up for government jobs, some of which are meant for beginners.
The administration of President Joseph N. Boakai has incorporated several individuals who served in the Doe, Taylor, Sirleaf and Weah administration, leaving new graduates of various universities and colleges wandering without jobs.
Whether or not these individuals were appointed as political paybacks or due to their experience, they have left the Liberian society stagnant and out of bound in terms of modern ideas, development and technology.
As if the presidential appointments are not enough, others are being appointed by other elected officials, and even by those appointed by the President.
The most recent scenario is the appointment of the former Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) during the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf administration, Cllr. James Verdier, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Nagbe Koon, to serve as his Chief of Staff and Senior Legal Consultant.
Cllr. Verdier served the LACC until the George Weah administration, when he was fired for alleged financial improprieties and disrespect to fellow commissioners.
He also previously served as Vice President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), Assistant Professor at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, and Head of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission.
Verdier, brother of Jerome Verdier, former Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and now Chairperson of the International Justice Group (IJG) based in the United States of America, also has a wealth of experience in human rights, democratic governance and the rule of law, anti-corruption, justice and security, as well as civil litigation.
However, even with the rich portfolio, Cllr. James Verdier, instead of creating job opportunities for aspiring lawyers or human rights activists, is stooping low to be appointed as a chief of staff in a lawmaker’s office, with the expectation that he lives up to the task of an office administrator, with the responsibility to run errands on behalf of the Speaker.
Observers are expressing concerns about Cllr. Verdier’s career downtrend and what he expects to achieve as chief of office staff in the Speaker’s office.
They claim that the National Legislature is the most corrupt branch of government, and Cllr. Verdier taking up a job there will only add damages to his already threatened reputation.