Security breach at Capitol Building

Lawmakers and Capitol Building staff have raised concern over what seems a security breach at the First Branch of Government after a mentally challenged female entered the Joint Chambers of the Capitol Tuesday, loitering the area.

Members of the House of Representatives were in extraordinary session, while the Liberian Senate was in open session with Legislative reporters seated in the Joint Chambers when the physically challenged young lady invaded the chambers.
Employees and visitors to the Capitol said this was the first time for the lady, who is said to be a regular guest of Montserrado County  district #9 Representative Munah E. Pelham Youngblood, to evade security check and enter directly into the building.
The incident that appeared very embarrassing to the CDC Lawmaker, prompted her to raise the matter as an A.O.B. item on the plenary agenda, stressing the need to address serious security lapses, which allow anybody just walking in at the Capitol, particularly during session.
She described the issue as vert urgent, adding that all entries into the Capitol Building have been abandoned by private guards deployed there. “Honorable Speaker and fellow colleagues; I want this august body to address the issue of security in this building; we are seeing what is happening around the world, and Liberia is no different. You saw the young lady that just enters in here? All our entries leading into this building are left open,” Representative Youngblood alarmed.
It can be recalled that Representatives, staffers and visitors to the Capitol took to their respective heeds in May when fire gutted the Richard R. Tolbert Joint Chambers of the Liberian Legislature under mysterious circumstances.
Members of the Lower House had already adjourned then while members of the Liberian Senate were actively debating issues of national concerns when the Chairman on Rules, Order and Administration, Grand Bassa County Representative Jeh Byron Brown, escorted by Sergeant-At-Arm Brigadier General Martin Johnson, stormed the chambers of the Senate unannounced, and broke the news of the fire outbreak, forcing Senate President Pro-Tempore ArmahJallah to have immediately announced closure of regular session.

By Ben P. Wesee