The media and communications coordinator of Unity Party Legislative Alliance says the reform agenda of Representative Richard Nagbe Koon for the House Speakership offers hope for the 55th Liberian Legislature.
Representative Koon is the consensus candidate of the UP Legislative Alliance for the impending January 15, 2023 House Speakership election.
It’s most probable the Montserrado district ’11’ lawmaker will take on Grand Kru County representative, and now deputy house speaker, Jonathan Fonati Koffa in the race for the House Speakership.
Appearing on independent OK FM on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, Trokon Freeman said Representative Koon’s desire to reform and rebrand the House is unambiguously expressed in his political menifesto.
Trokon said no lawmaker is on record for making attempt to reduce the power of the speaker, but said Representative Koon is at the verge of going down in history as the first speaker if elected to amend the House’s rules to allow members to elect heads of statutory committees.
As part of the reform measures, the media and communications coordinator said in order to promote accountability, the Koon’s dreamed speakership will commission an audit of the House.
As an accountant himself, the Unity Party lawmaker was part of a committee that conduct payroll audit of the lower house. The Liberian journalist said removing the house’s payroll remains one of Richard Koon’s top priorities.
Among other things, the UP Legislative Alliance spokesman said the Koon’s speakership is resolved on enhancing public utility to the Capitol Building.
“That means regular supply of water and electricity will be restored. All departments will have operational budge”.
More than 1,000 ghost names on the payroll will be removed. Staff welfare will be of priority”.
“Each of the districts will benefit projects through the budget. And so each member of the House will submit a budget of US$200,000”.
In order to have the UP legislative agenda executed, Trokon believes electing a speaker from the incoming ruling party is imperative.
“Liberia is about to witness a transition from hopelessness to hopefulness. To have this worked, you need a leadership of the legislature in whose vision corroborates with that of the ruling party. The CDC’s agenda for the legislature is different from that of the UP.
The speaker approves the agenda for the day. If the government decides to seek legislative approval to borrow money for the southeastern corridor for example, it’s most probable that the speaker delays in submitting such instrument, most especially if it’s during an election year”.
