CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – On January 22, during a joint luncheon of both Houses marking the 5th Session of the 54th Legislature, the then Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie of Grand Kru County announced a series of Senate reforms. Notably, he highlighted minimizing executive/closed-door sessions to promote transparency and enhance legislative proceedings.
By Blamo N. Toe, with The Liberian Investigator
“It is said that wherever there is even a small cloud of darkness, Democracy suffers,” Sen. Chie asserted. He stated that executive sessions are now reserved for national security issues and voting on presidential nominees.
However, on Tuesday, legislative workers and reporters were surprised to be denied access to the gallery and main chamber of the Senate due to an unexpected executive session. “The senators are in Executive Session, and nobody is allowed to enter,” a Senate staff member told The Liberian Investigator anonymously.
There was no prior notice for this sudden session. The Liberian Investigator later confirmed that the session involved Mr. Josiah Joekai, Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA). The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour, after which Senators Nya Twayen, Gblebo Brown, and Simeon Taylor exited with the CSA boss. The reason for Joekai’s secret invitation remains unclear. However, media reports suggest it might relate to a conference Mr. Joekai had called for with Labor Minister Cllr. Cooper Kruah about the alleged dismissal of four ministry employees.
The dismissed employees, including Samuel S. Sambolah (HIV/AIDS focal person), Victor S. Whymah (Planning Officer), Edwin S. Sebo (Child Labor Monitor), and Bill S. Ninneh (Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Minister of Planning), reportedly filed a complaint with the CSA.
Cllr. Kruah, a close confidant of Nimba County Senator Prince Johnson, is also the chairman of Sen. Johnson’s political party, the Movement for Democratic Reconstruction (MDR). Sen. Johnson’s support was crucial in helping President Boakai’s Unity Party secure the presidency in both the October 10 election and the November 14 runoff.
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