By J. Ebenezer Daygbor
Margibi County Senator Oscar Cooper created uproar Tuesday, June 27th, when he described as “useless” the Upper House of the National Legislature of Liberia. The Senate was ignited and overwhelmed with words of war particularly between the Senate Pro-Temp Armah Jallah and Sen. Cooper.
It all started when a Bill seeking ratification for a grant agreement valued at US$4.8 million was read on the floor of the Senate’s plenary. Following the reading of the Bill, a motion was taken first, second and third readings suggesting that the instrument was ready for passage.
Some senators say the procedure was a violation of their standing rules. Hardly had some of the protesting senators spoken when the mover requested the suspension of the rules in contention.
The Senate called for Bill to be read the third times before passage. The third reading was intended to ensure that the senators understood the content of the Bill. That would given them the opportunity to cast an informed vote for or against.
But Senator Cooper could not let the process go on without consequences. He objected to the motion calling for the third reading. Senator contended that the Bill should go through the normal legislative procedure.
His observation and objection were not taken. Presiding Pro-Temp Jallah ignored his objection and observation on grounds that the rules had already been suspended. The statement by Jallah infuriated Senator Cooper. He became emotionally charged and burst into fury describing the House of Senate as a “useless place on planet earth…”
Senator Cooper told our Correspondent that he did not hear the reading of the Bill. He said the audio system “spoiled” and therefore he did not hear the readings. He contends he has his rights to demand for clarity or to raise issues if need be.
His were angered by his outburst and they requested the Pro-Tempore to demand apology from the Margibi County lawmaker. Cooper is himself a presidential aspirant in 2017 legislative and Presidential elections.
Jallah immediately insisted that Cooper apologized to his colleagues, but the Margibi County refused and stormed out of the chambers in noise.
However, Pro-Tempore Jallah ruled that Senator Cooper is given two days to apologize or face the wrath of the Senate. The senate’s disciplinary measures include fines, suspension and expulsion.
Meanwhile, the plenary of the senate voted overwhelmingly for the passage of the grant agreement.
This is second time the Liberian Senate has come under attack by its own member. Gbarpolu County Senator Daniel Naatehn branded heads of committee of the senate as “puppets”.
The Liberian Senate was described as “weak” the 53rd Liberian Senate and said heads of committees are puppets that dance to the tune of Pro-Tempore Jallah’s dictatorial practices.
Gbarpolu County Senate Daniel Naatehn told journalists at a news conference in Monrovia over the weekend that it was unfortunate and shameful for leaders that were elected by their respective counties to be micro managed by the political head of the senate.
Senator Naatehn said committees chairpersons at the senate have on several occasions failed to operate independently; instead, they await the Pro-Tempore to decide the final approach of their committee’s report.
