NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Liberian Senate has cited three senior government officials for contempt after they failed to appear before the legislative body as previously mandated.
Those cited are Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning; Louise Mapleh Kpoto, Minister of Health; and Josiah F. Joekai Jr., Director-General of the Civil Service Agency.
By: Sampson W Weah sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
The action followed a motion raised during plenary by Samuel G. Kogar, Senator of Nimba County, who called on the Senate to take action after the officials failed to honor an earlier summons issued by the body.
The three officials have now been ordered to appear before the Senate’s plenary session on Thursday at 12:00 p.m., accompanied by their legal representatives. They are expected to provide reasons why they should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with the Senate’s directive.
The officials were initially scheduled to appear before the Senate on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. to respond to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the situation of volunteer health workers and volunteer teachers across the country.
Senators had requested the officials to provide clarity on government plans to address the long-standing issues affecting the volunteers, including compensation, employment status, and possible integration into the government payroll.
Lawmakers say the matter is of national importance, noting that thousands of volunteer teachers and health workers continue to provide services in schools and health facilities despite not being formally placed on the government payroll.
The Senate’s decision to cite the officials for contempt underscores growing frustration among lawmakers, who argue that government institutions must respect the authority of the Legislature and respond to issues affecting citizens in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, Jarso Maley Jallah, Liberia’s Minister of Education, was the only official who formally communicated her absence to the Senate ahead of the hearing. In her communication, she explained that she was attending an emergency Cabinet meeting convened by the President at the time of the scheduled appearance.
The Senate is expected to hear from the cited officials during Thursday’s plenary as it determines the next course of action regarding the matter.
