By Ethel A. Tweh
The Liberian Senate on Thursday threw out Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins and Road Funds officials over their unpreparedness to give details about roads and bridges constructed from 2018 to 2022.
Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, Jr., was absent, but Minister Cooker Collins, her deputy for Technical Services Mr. Joseph Todd, and National Road Funds Executive Director Mr. Boniface Satu were thrown out on 2 February 2023
The Senate’s decision was triggered by the Road Funds officials’ unpreparedness to address concerns arising from the Liberian Senate regarding all roads in the country.
The officials were asked to leave the chambers of the Liberian Senate until they can provide the necessary information for which they were cited.
The Liberian Senate turned itself into a committee of a whole on Thursday for the appearance of Ministers Coker Collins, Tweah, and Mr. Satu.
During their appearance, Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services Mr. Joseph Todd explained the areas in which the Ministry has planted solar lights in and around Monrovia.
Senate President Pro-Tempore Albert T. Chie said Minister Todd should direct his discussion to why they were called and stop giving an annual report.
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“We didn’t call you to [give us a] annual report, we called you to discuss [the] road and you are explaining something different,” said Senator Chie.
The Officials remained under oath when they departed the Senate to re-appear next Thursday with the relevant document showing details of roads and bridges constructed from 2018 to 2022.
Grand Bassa County Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence said when the road officials are returning next Thursday, they should bring the total money collected for road funds from last year.
She also wants to know the total outstanding and the total road fund projects.
The road funds officials are to submit the documents to the office of the Senate Secretary next Tuesday so that all the senators can have a copy of it before their appearance on Thursday.
