Koffa edges closer to Speakership …promises Legislative Reforms, Constituents’ Benefits

The race for the Legislative is edging closer and the favorite for the Speakership, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has promised Liberians through the world’s biggest media platform, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to institute legislative reforms. 

Cllr. Koffa said his position at the wheel of the Liberian Legislature would ensure the passage of a budget that operates to the benefits of constituents of the 73 electoral districts. 

The Grand Kru County Electoral District #2 Representative, who has enjoyed endorsement from the caucus of his Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and majority independent lawmakers, told the BBC from Randolph Town, Maryland, USA, that key reforms that started in the 54th Legislature, but have been at a snail pace will be accelerated in the 55th Legislature under his stewardship as Speaker. 

He indicated one of the reforms would be doing legislative businesses in a more transparent way such as electronic voting and providing access to the records so that the public will be able to judge what they do as individual lawmakers and as a body. 

“I think by this the public will have more inputs and judgment of what their lawmakers do or are doing on their behalf,” said Cllr. Koffa. 

The current Legislature has been widely classed as a rubber stamp body, with reports having it that members accept bribes to pass key legislations; however, the candidate for the speakership says he has not seen bribery in the Legislature as being widely speculated in some quarters of the Liberian society  

“I have not seen bribery in the Legislature. I have seen 4G passage of some legislation. It’s part of the legislative reform that we want to bring - transparency.  There have been more consultations between the Executive and the Legislative and part of the reforms will be to ensure a more public process.” 

When asked about the damming numbers of sanctions placed on Liberian government officials, specifically those in the Legislature, Cllr. Koffa noted: “I am not sure what criteria the US used and I am not sure of the evidence that the US has to put out those sanctions. I am hoping that our government will invite the US to help with those [pieces of evidence]. The issue of bribery as alleged in the sanctions against my colleagues does not apply to me.”   
 
For the benefits of the constituents – those that live in the districts, the current Deputy Speaker of the outgoing 54th Legislature pointed out that the House under his guide will work to ensure that at least 10 percent of the budget goes towards healthcare, education and youth empowerment in each of the 73 districts. 

According to him, money must be put in the budget that affects the districts directly, because it will in turn impact national development and economic development. 

“In the last three years or so, there was no money for district development or youth empowerment and this narrative has to change.” 

Asked about his achievements with reference to bills as a deputy speaker, Rep.  Koffa added: “We were primary in the Domestic Violence Law; we were primary in introducing the FGM Bill, where our local and international partners worked to ensuring that FGM is on the way of elimination and eradication. Those were our two signature bills. We also co-sponsored a number of developmental initiatives.”