Incoming Speaker Of The House Vows To Accelerates Legislative Reform, Tells VOA
The Deputy Speaker of the 54th National Legislature, and the incoming Speaker 55th National Legislature, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa has vowed to robustly accelerate legislative during his tenue as Speaker in order to make that august body accountable to the people they serve.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Voice of America’s James Butty, the Grand Kru County District # 2 Lawmaker, said the budget should operate to the benefit of the constituent; meaning that the people who live in the district, so that 10 percent of the budget go towards healthcare, education and youth empowerment in each of the 73 districts, stressing that how much that amount will be is left with the legislative decision.
Speaking further he said if this is done, he believes that it will indeed help to impact national and economic development once money which will be placed in the national budget, will help to impact national and economic development as well, and further disclosed that the last budget distribution there was no money in the budget for youth development and empowerment.
Touching on his success story as Deputy Speaker of the 54th National Legislature, he disclosed that he was very instrumental in the passage of the domestic violence law, and the introduction of the Female Genital Mutilation Bill (FGM), which he said drew the support of local and international partners ensuring that the FGM was on its way to elimination and eradication.
The Deputy Speaker during the VOA interview also disclosed he undertook a number of developmental initiatives both in his constituent and on the national scene in the interest of the Liberian people, and the country at large, and further rubbished report that the current legislature is a rubber stamp body in which some members accept bribes to approve legislation, noting, “ I have not seen bribery at the legislature”, the Deputy Speaker in response debunked such allegation.
On recently imposed sanctions on two members of the Liberian senate for alleged bribery and corruption, Deputy Speaker Koffa said, “I am not sure what criterial the U.S. used to impose sanction, and also not sure the evidence they have to impose sanction, I am not sure the evidence they have to impose such, I wish the government will invite the US government to show evidence”, he told the VOA.
On support for his election as Speaker of the 55th session of the National Legislature, he affirmed and said, “Yes we have the endorsement of the CDC caucus as a member of the CDC, and we have the endorsement the majority of the independent lawmakers”, he said.
When asked as to what he will do differently when elected as Speaker of the House, “We will have to begin a process of reform, we think the 55th legislature will accelerate that process”, he told the world via the VOA.
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