Montserrado County’s district #9 Representative, Frank Saah Foko, has assured the citizenry that the election of members of the out-going government to the leadership of the House of Representatives will ensure check and balance in the up-coming Unity Party (UP) administration, noting that Liberia has improved greatly in terms of nurturing its democracy; Cynthia Quinisier reports.
Representative Foko said it will be in the best interest of the country and the citizenry should the National Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary work in proper coordination of state activities, as it will foster the development agenda and boost the image of the country in the comity of nations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Hot Pepper on Monday, January 15, 2024 at the Capitol Building, the district #9 lawmaker expressed gratitude to all the representatives of the 73 electoral districts of the country for exercising their rights to vote for a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker. He underscored that they look forward to working with the agenda of the new Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
Representative Foko, on behalf of his fellow lawmakers, vowed that they will institute the necessary corrections in the House, stating that their constituencies have charged them with the responsibility to make proper appropriation and proper representation.
He said his party, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has been rejuvenated by the election of Speaker Koffa and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah. According to him, even though they lost the presidency a few months ago, they have secured the leadership of the House of Representatives.
He emphasized that the CDC winning the Speakership and Deputy Speakership will not be used to fight the Executive; instead, provide the necessary checks and balances in the Boakai-Koung administration.
“We just want for all of us to work in the best interest of the Liberian people. As I said, it creates the balance of government,” Representative Foko maintained.
The lawmaker said the CDC is actually happy for securing the House’s leadership, because this is what Liberians wanted over the years. He recounted that during President George Weah’s term, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker were all members of the ruling party, which the Liberian people condemned.
The lawmaker however pointed out that, in the interest of the citizenry, there will no longer be “freewill” at the Capitol, and that they will endeavor to ensure that the right things are done.