Embattled Speaker Bhofal Chambers concedes here for the very first time that the 54th Legislature, particularly the House has been rift by persistent misunderstanding and disagreement, impeding smooth legislative functions during its first sitting.
Addressing legislative reporters Friday, 14 September at the Capitol before departing for annual break, Chambers, who have faced intense battle from his colleagues to have him ousted, laments misunderstanding among lawmakers has been a major challenge during their first sitting.
However, he says they are now trying to understand one another in the 72 members House of Representatives with hurdles he did not detail being surmounted.
Speaker Chambers had barely taken seat as head of the 54th Liberian Legislature when his apparent lack of knowledge of legislative functions and proceedings were exposed much to public disgust, while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of George Manneh Weah as 24th President of Liberia in the jam-packed Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Paynesville City on 22 January.
Since then he continues to face immense criticisms over his leadership style with frantic efforts among his colleagues to have him replaced by Grand Kru County Representative Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Kofa, who recently joined the governing Coalition for Democratic Change.
The media advisor in the Office of the Speaker, Bobby Addison confirmed to this paper recently there is an internal plot to remove his boss.
Speaking to the NEWDAWN on 4th September via mobile phone, Addison, who had called to deny a story published in the paper under the banner “Stinks take over House” advised the New Dawn Management not to be misled, disclosing that some lawmakers are seeking the removal of Speaker Chambers, his boss.
But Chambers himself sounded rather optimistic over the weekend when lauded his colleagues for their collective effort, which according to him, has today made that august body not to be branded by the public as a brown envelope House.
He says during their first sitting, they passed 15 bills with 38 in committee rooms, including 10 petitions received.
Speaker Chambers adds that while on annual break, 15 lawmakers representing each of the 15 counties would work with the leadership on Capitol Hill to govern the affairs of the House in coordination with the Executive branch of Government for smooth running of the state.
He claims in the spirit of good governance they have been up to the task and performed their duties in good taste.Members of the House are expected to return at the capitol on January 14, 2019.
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By Bridgett Milton–Editing by Jonathan Browne
