Monrovia - Dogged by a bitter fight with the executive branch over a number of burning issues including the passage of the 2012/2013 national budget, calls for apology from President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf over comments she made in the United States of America alleging that Lawmakers allot benefits to themselves that are not given them; fight over reform in the oil and gas sector; the passage of a bill criminalizing same sex relationships, the national Legislature has found itself occupied with their own business instead of that of the people they were elected to represent.

The last year in the eyes of many Liberians have been a rather eventful, turbulent one falling short on deliverable. Fighting to assert themselves and demand some respect from members of the executive including Monrovia City Mayor Mary Broh, the legislature fought some bruising battles this year.

Today, FrontPageAfrica continues its assessment of the government of Liberia with a look at the national Legislature. The 53rd Legislature was seat on January 9, 2012, the majority of members are new breeds as only 25 (39.06%) of the 64 members of the House were reelected. In the Senate, only 2 of 14 incumbent senators retained their seats after the 2011 elections.

As a result of the population threshold set up by the 2008 census, the membership of the House grew to 73, reducing the number of returning members to a little over 34%.

Even though during his address to members of the house during the closing ceremony of the 1st session of the house of representatives of the 53rd legislature House Speaker Alex Tyler praised the body for doing the work of their “bosses- the people, with no small amount of uncommon zeal” the house of representatives still is yet to convince the public that it is ready for business. Tyler said the diversity of political parties represented at what he calls the “people’s palava hut,” were forcefully put across and equally heard and attended to.

“The divergent and passionate pleas heralded by some of Liberia’s finest sons and daughters, advocating with tenacity but civility for their various constituencies, from the seventy-three electoral districts and god’s command,” attest to Liberia being back on its feet,”

For Tyler and his colleagues they believe that they have served the people they represent well as over twenty-five (25) bills have been passed and signed into law (compared to twelve (12) bills that were signed into law for the same period in 2006). These bills include the Democracy Sustainability Act sponsored by Representative Acarous M. Gray (Montserrado District 8 -CDC) which drew widespread condemnation from the public.

The bill which calls for public funding of political parties, coalitions and alliances and independent candidates through national budget appropriations was criticized by the Liberia Democratic Institute (LDI).

But Tyler admitted that an additional fifty (50) bills are still in committee room, covering a vast array of subjects and interests including support for rural community radio, to community colleges; to support for Liberian businesses and entrepreneurs; to energy and tax reform. These bills also include the minimum wage bill.

ACAROUS GRAY MONTSERRADO COUNTY DISTRICT #8 (CDC)

BIGGEST HIT OF 2012: Representative Acarous Moses Gray of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) sponsored bills a number of bills which made impact in his district No. 8 including the Coalition and Alliances Sustainable Development Bill, Code of Conduct Bill and also led a campaign for the committee on youths and sports to become statutory. Gray was also a strong advocate for advocates for the passage of the decent work bill.

He has held series of meetings with his district leaders and embarked on a number of humanitarian gestures for his people. More importantly for the lawmaker, he called for the conduct of a drug test for public officials especially those in the security apparatus and other high profiled individuals that have oversight responsibility to battle drug abuse in the country. Gray is a strong critic of the executive and is on record for calling for the impeachment of President Sirleaf predicated upon revelations she made in the U.S about women disenfranchising their children in 2005. Gray was not supported on this position by his party.

BIGGEST MISS OF 2012: Gray surprisingly showed up in a military fatigue in the corridors of the national legislature when his party’s candidate in the Senatorial bi-election was denied registration by the National Elections Commission to fill the vacant seat created by the death of CDC’s iconic lawmaker Moses Tandapolie. The stunt did not go down well with many of Gray’s critics.

2013 OUTLOOK: Gray is one of the critical voices in the House of Representatives; he brings a high level of credibility to the table. Gray is a lead floor fighter who moves around during plenary to debate the issues and remains a formidable force in the legislature.  A surprising turn could never be ruled out from the unpredictable party activist-turned lawmaker.

GRADE: B+

EUGENE FALLAH KPARKAR LOFA COUNTY DISTRICT #1(LIBERTY PARTY)

BIGGEST HIT OF 2012: The Liberty Party lawmaker sponsored bills several bills during the course of the year including one addressing the Foya polytechnic in Foya  Lofa County. The bill was passed by the house of Representative, sent to the Senate and was subsequently sent to committee room by the House of senate. The lawmaker also pushed the act repealing the act creating August 24 as Flag Day as well as a resolution to bid and host the junior African cup of Nations.

Kparkar re-introduced a Bill seeking voting rights for Liberians in the Diaspora in all elections held in Liberia. He said that when passed new precincts in all foreign missions of Liberia will be created to allow Liberians the opportunity to register and vote. The Lofa Representative headed a Liberian delegation of Lawmakers to the Pan African Parliament.

Rep. Kparkar is on record for urging his colleagues to invite the Minister of Education Etmonia Tarpeh over the alarming hike in tuition and fees in private schools. Rep. Kpaka in a communication took authorities of the Ministry of Education under the supervision of Minister Tarpeh for failure to regulate the activities of private schools in the country resulting to the sky rocketing tuition and other fees by proprietors of private schools. The Lofa lawmaker also accused the Ministry of failing to regulate the activities of private schools in the country.

As a result of Kpakar’s initiative, lawmakers unanimously voted and mandated Minister Tarpeh to work with proprietors of private schools in the country to ensure that the matter is amicably resolved to afford parents and guardians the  the opportunity to send their children to school.

BIGGEST MISS OF 2012: Rep. Kparkar was one of the names favored by the Unity Party-led government to hold the position of a Deputy Speaker but squandered his chances after he had a conference with other lawmakers declaring his support for the candidacy of Ricks Toweh against Alex Tyler who was believed to be the Executive Mansion’s favorite.

2013 OUTLOOK: Kparkar remains a strong advocate of issues pertaining to human rights and social justice and might do better in the coming year. He is one of the lawmakers actively engaged in social networking and is using it to advance his cause in the legislature.

GRADE: A

EMMANUEL NUQUAY DISTRICT #5 MARGIBI COUNTY (UNITY PARTY)

BIGGEST HIT OF 2012: Rep. Nuquay who is also Chairman on Ways, Means and Finance is a member of the governing Unity Party. But his political affiliation with the ruling party has not affected his conviction as an individual serving his people. He has remained steadfast and has refused to compromise his positions on issues of national concern.

Nuquay is the torch-bearer in seeking legislative independence as a separate and strong branch of government. Nuquay has demanded respect for the legislative body and is on record for calling fellow partisan President Sirleaf to order on denigrating statements she made in the U.S. accusing lawmakers of allotting benefits to themselves that have not been given them.

He accused some members of the Executive Branch of government of painting a good image of themselves and making members of the National legislature look ugly in the eyes of the public. He is also on record for openly asking President Sirleaf to apologize for the statement she made against them (Lawmakers). This led to a bitter wrangle between the legislature and the executive branch that lasted for months but was later resolved in a closed door meeting with the President.

This stance by Nuquay as a member of the ruling party many say takes a person with guts to do. Nuquay has led the fight for reform in the oil and gas sector which put him and other lawmakers at odds with the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). He accused NOCAL of launching a stinging attack against members of the Legislature with the sole objective to disintegrate the solidified position of the House and Senate to weaken them and make them unable to insist on reforms in the oil sector. He was a key asset to the legislature during the 2012/2013 budget debate and played a key role in  in the passage of the 2012/2013 Fiscal Budget.

Through his instrumentality, US$3.3 million was appropriated under the Ministry of Education for the Construction of public schools in his district while an additional US$2.2 was appropriated under the Ministry of Health for the construction of clinics across the district.  Sponsored bills include an  act creating the (CINTA) magisterial court, an act requesting for firestone land rental fees to be a social development fund for Margibi and Montserrado Counties. Nuquay is the chairman on ways, means and finance committee a committee responsible for the crafting of the National Budget. 

BIGGEST MISS OF 2012: Rep Nuquay committee was widely criticized by the public for ignoring the increment of Civil Servants Salary in the 2012/2013 National budget. Questions were also raised about Nuquay’s alleged involvement in an attempt to blackmail the presidency.

2013 OUTLOOK: Nuquay remains an asset to the Liberian legislature arguably as one of the few technocrats that could remake the legislature.

GRADE: A+

THOMAS FALLAH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT #5 (MONTSERRADO-CDC)

BIGGEST HIT OF 2012: Sponsored bills for Fallah include an act to support the Bi-Monthly, and weekly Civil Servants payment system in Liberia, an act to create the Paynesville community college. Rep. Fallah is known for his advocacy for allocation to be made in the National budget for the Paynesville City Council leadership, and the pavement of the AB Tolbert road. Fallah called for a probe in the July 19, 2012 student riot which emanated from the University of Liberia student elections.

The Representative called for an investigation in the cancellation of the UL placement examination and also the yearly and unjustifiable increment in tuition and fees at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) which he said has resulted to frequent strike actions by students and thereby leading to either suspension of senior student for the academic year. Representative Fallah was instrumental in convincing the house to summon the managing directors of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LEC) to give reasons for the constant shortage of electricity and water in Monrovia and its environs.

BIGGEST MISS OF 2012: Constant altercation between Rep. Fallah’s office and that of his constituency is hampering his efforts to serve his people. A road construction project, initiated by Representative Fallah, was disrupted due to a scuffle between youths and officials representing the office of the lawmaker. The situation resulted in the exchange of insults by the two groups which almost degenerated into a fist fight. Rep. Fallah was accused by residents in his district of ignoring the numerous challenges facing the community, adding that the project was not initiated with their consent.

2013 OUTLOOK: Representative Fallah is looking to do more in mending fences with the people of his district to curb the constant fallout between his office and the people he represents.

GRADE: C

EDWIN SNOWE MONTSERRADO COUNTY DISTRICT #6 (INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE)

BIGGEST HIT OF 2012: The lawmaker was finally removed from the United Nations Travel ban. This was a Christmas present to the lawmaker by the UN Security Council, thanks to the instrumentality of President Sirleaf. The removal of Snowe from the travel ban allowed him to visit five countries to reestablish his lost ties. Countries now marked in the lawmaker’s passport post the travel ban include Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles, Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso.

BIGGEST MISS OF 2012: Representative Snowe has not had a safe landing since the sitting of the 53rd Legislature and has been engulfed in controversy from the sitting of the House on January 9, 2012. The Montserrado County District 6 representative did not sponsor any Bill during the seating of the 53rd National Legislature, but was influential in advocating for the passage of the Democracy Sustainability Bill.

Mr. Snowe is also on record for his alleged involvement in a Stripping Saga at his house during the event of the Bachelors night of Journalist Patrick Honnah, an incident that sparked out huge Public outrage. A young woman was said to have been coerced to pose nude by the lawmaker for USD 1,000.  Women and other interest groups marched before the Capitol calling for his impeachment and reprimand for the action. Snowe’s woes continued during the year when he was accused of murdering CDC’s Moses Tandapoli in Bong County during a legislative retreat. He threatened the New Dawn Newspaper with lawsuit for the story after dragging the paper and its Reporter E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor before the Plenary of the House of Representatives.

Mr. Snowe is also on record for publicly announcing his interest in obtaining an oil block. He held a press conference at which time he accused Mr. Robert Sirleaf son of the President of holding two passports. Rep. Snowe held the news conference to address allegations surrounding reports that he was involved along with other lawmakers in a blackmail attempt on the President of Liberia, threatening to unveil sensitive documents if the President and the National Oil Company of Liberia did not give he and other lawmakers two oil blocks.

Snowe then acknowledged his relationship with the Russian firm Gazprom while unveiling American passports of the NOCAL chair Robert Sirleaf as proof and calling on President Sirleaf to discharge Mr. Sirleaf of his duties in the Liberian government due to his U.S. citizenship. But in a sudden twist of fate the lawmaker apologized to the first family terming his action as influenced by gossip and lies. Snowe apology has reduced his level of credibility and trust in the public and even among his colleagues because many thought what he said against Mr. Sirleaf and NOCAL was a true revelation that could have made some impact in changing some of the bad practices in the country’s oil negotiation.

2013 OUTLOOK: Will this be the year the honorable lawmaker get his much-sought oil block?

GRADE: F

BYRON BROWNE DISTRICT #4 (REP. GRAND BASSA COUNTY, LIBERTY PARTY)

BIGGEST HITS OF 2012: Browned sponsored several bills during the course of the year including an act to create Bassa Institute of Nursing studies, An act seeking the provision of Incentives for rural Civil Servants, an act supporting rural radio stations’ sustainability, rural Town Amalgamation. He also sponsored a bill to constitute claims court, A proposal to amend rules 39.1 and 39.2 of rules and procedures of the house, act to establish war crime court in Liberia.

BIGGEST 2012 MISS: Rep. Brown is also on record for disrupting the Funeral ceremony of the wife of his kinsman Grand Bassa Senator Jonathan Banney. He demanded Banney to marry the dead woman to fulfill a cultural tradition. The crisis lasted for weeks and resulted into court action and a ruling to allow Banney bury his dead wife.

2013 OUTLOOK: Representative Brown is determined to continue his advocacy for the establishment of a War Crimes Court in Liberia as the New Year sets in.

GRADE: B-

REP. GEORGE MULBAH, DISTRICT #3

BIGGEST 2012 HIT: The establishment of a Television station in Gbarnga in his first one hundred days.

Like Rep. Corneh, Mulbah was among four Bong lawmakers who failed to fulfill electoral promises. But it took the Bong Caucus chair only a month to restore his lost reputation when he complemented the schooling of over 25 persons from his District studying at Cuttington University. The amount that summed up to USD 3,000 was a supplement to a USD 1,000 provided to scores of secondary students benefitting from the “George Mulbah Tuition Aid Program”.

However, the allotment of USD 53.000 in the national budget for the rehabilitation of the Gbarnga Central Market fulfills a campaign pledge by the Bong County lawmaker.

Rep. Mulbah, for the sixth year running took advantage of the agriculture break to deliver his legislative report that highlighted his activities at both the national legislature and District #3. Biggest 2012 Miss Rep. Mulbah’s one year stint at the national legislature was plagued with infrequent visitation to his constituency.

Sponsored bills: an act to levy taxes relocate owners of undeveloped land, the decent work bill, an act to create Wainsue a magisterial area, amendment to the Aliens and Nationality laws regarding permits of residence in Liberia. Rep. Mulbah is the only lawmakers who distanced himself publicly from Rep. Edwin Snowe’s expressed interest in obtaining an oil block. He is also one of the long serving Representative from Bong County who is recognized for being vocal against the Sirleaf Administration.

GRADE: B+

REP. PRINCE K. MOYE, DISTRICT #2

BIGGEST 2012 HIT: Throughout 2012, the District #2 lawmaker has represented his people well at the national legislature and has been credited for bringing the biggest investment to his district.

As co-chair on Ways, Means and Finance, the former Cuttington University procurement Director attracted scores of projects in his District that summed up to over USD 500.000. He was also instrumental in establishing an LD1 million scholarship scheme for students in his District. Prior to the inception of the agriculture break Rep. Moye was praised for his constant visit to the District that bestowed on him the nickname “Always on Time”.

BIGGEST 2012 MISS: With his wife expected to give birth to their child the U.S, Rep. Moye has chose to spend much of his agriculture break in with his wife and the newborn rather than with his constituents. On his return less than a month to the lapse of the annual break, Rep. Moye seems to be struggling in reuniting with his constituents who have been crying wolf.

2013 OUTLOOK: Rep. Moye comes into the New Year with renewed vigor to work but many are hoping he will keep up his clean slate.

GRADE: A

REP. LESTER PAYE, DISTRICT #4

BIGGEST 2012 HIT: Rep. Paye’s time in the legislature legislative break has been dubbed as rewarding for one key reason-the dedication of his 20 acres of land for farming in his District.

Besides that milestone occasion, the former YMCA executive has given out loans to farmers in his District who emerged with the largest farms, thanks to the Lester Paye Farming Initiatives. Rep. Paye heads the Statutory Committee on Youth and Sports, Prides himself as a youth advocate who has worked 23 years at the Young Men`s Christian Association (YMCA).

BIGGEST 2012 MISS: Rep. Paye who failed to deliver to his constituents in his first one hundred days as promised has not done much in Mellequelleh Clan. His perpetual absence from the area despite on the current Agriculture break seems to be a cause of concern for residents of the area.

2013 OUTLOOK: The lawmaker wants to make his district one of the key food producing districts in the county. He plans to keep on advocating for quality education and making quality decisions in the best interest of the young people.

GRADE: B

REP. CORPU BARCLAY, DISTRICT #7

2012 BIGGEST HIT: Rep. Barclay’s visit to her constituency during the period under the spotlight has not been as frequent as it was during her reelection bid. Her intermittent visit, however, bore successful fruits ranging from the completion of several unfinished projects to remittances to sponsored students.

BIGGEST 2012 MISS: Miss Rep. Barclay’s infrequent visit to Sanoyea District has been a major problem. Even before the inception of the agriculture break, Sanoyea District was not a favorable ground for the chair on the House’s committee on Health and the agriculture has not solved the situation.

GRADE: C

REP. EDWARD KARFIAH DISTRICT # 5 (BONG-NDC)

BIGGEST 2012 HIT: The District #5 Representative was a key sponsor of the bill to domesticate Anti Torture Convention and Protocol as rectified by Liberia in 2004.

2012 BIGGEST MISS: Karfiah, a Representative of two administrative Districts in Suakoko and Yellequelleh has been overwhelmingly accused of confining much of the national cake to his native District Yellequelleh. Karfiah has seen his integrity entangled in the web of corruption claims following an agreement that gave birth of CICO, (a construction company tasked to construction Monrovia-Gbarnga) to take ownership of rocks in the District.

Besides, critics of Rep. Karfiah had thought that the agriculture break afforded lawmakers could at least have helped ease the sectional claims levied against him but instead it has complemented the propaganda to what would be described as an uncontrollable peak. It could, simply, all boil down to the lawmaker’s lack of visit in Suakoko District as he has exemplified in Yellequelleh District. Throughout during the period under review, the District #5 lawmaker only managed to stage a single town hall meeting and graced a program held by his former boss Sen. Jewel Howard-Taylor in Suakoko.

2013 OUTLOOK: Political observers say the lawmaker has a long way to go to erase some of the perceptions dogging him.

GRADE: F

ADAM BILL CORNEH, DISTRICT #6

2012 BIGGEST HIT: Rep. Corneh’s first one hundred days in his second term was marred with ‘constituents hullaballoo’ when he failed to deliver to his constituents his one hundred days pledge: Notably the renovation of the E.J. Yancy School. The failure report that spurred a wave of condemnations took a positive dimension when Rep. Corneh provided over fifty scholarships to desirous students as a means of inspiring what he terms as his “prized asset”.Rep. Corneh has paid regular visits with his people since the inception of the agriculture break with less impact being made.

2012 BIGGEST MISS: The public resistance of Karmoh Kanneh, a member of the via tribe who was appointed as Commissioner of Salala District, was the start of what has now transformed into a tribal syndicate in the District. Elites of the District have overwhelmingly chosen to boycott all of the Corneh’s activities on grounds that he is only striving for the interest of his kinsmen at national level. It has negatively overshadowed the activities of Rep. Corneh during the period under review.

GRADE: C

REP. GEORGE MULBAH, DISTRICT #3

2012 BIGGEST HIT: The establishment of a Television station in Gbarnga in his first one hundred days  was a key accomplishment for Mulbah.Like Rep. Corneh, Mulbah was among four Bong lawmakers who failed to fulfill electoral promises. But it took the Bong Caucus chair only a month to restore his lost reputation when he complemented the schooling of over 25 persons from his District studying at Cuttington University. The amount that summed up to USD 3,000 was a supplement to a US$1,000 provided to scores of secondary students benefitting from the “George Mulbah Tuition Aid Program”.

However, the allotment of USD 53K in the national budget for the rehabilitation of the Gbarnga Central Market fulfilled a campaign pledge by the Bong County lawmaker. Rep. Mulbah, for the sixth year running took advantage of the agriculture break to deliver his legislative report that highlighted his activities at both the national legislature and District #3.

2012 BIGGEST MISS: Miss Rep. Mulbah’s one year stint at the national legislature was plagued with infrequent visitation to his constituency. The lawmaker sponsored several bills including an act to levy taxes, relocate owners of undeveloped land, the decent work bill, an act to create Wainsue, a magisterial area and an amendment to the Aliens and Nationality laws regarding permits of residence in Liberia. Rep. Mulbah is the only lawmakers who distanced himself publicly from Rep. Edwin Snowe’s expressed interest in obtaining an oil block.

2013 OUTLOOK: Will Mulbah continue the trend of being vocal against the Sirleaf Administration.

GRADE: B+

REP. CORPU BARCLAY, DISTRICT #7

2012 BIGGEST HIT: Rep. Barclay’s visit to her constituency during the period under the spotlight has not been as frequent as it was during her reelection bid. Her intermittent visit, however, bore successful fruits ranging from the completion of several unfinished projects to remittances to sponsored students.

2012 BIGGEST MISS: Rep. Barclay’s infrequent visit to Sanoyea District has been a major problem. Even before the inception of the agriculture break, Sanoyea District was not a favorable ground for the chair on the House’s committee on Health and the agriculture has not solved the situation.

GRADE: C

REP. TOKPAH MULBAH, DISTRICT #1

2012 BIGGEST HIT: None

2012 BIGGEST MISS: Not much has been seen from the former Deputy Speaker since his re-election a year ago. At the start of his agriculture break, the CDC Representative launched a District consultation campaign aimed at soliciting opinions from his constituency what pressing priorities should be highlighted at the start of the second sitting.

2013 OUTLOOK: The lawmaker will be looking to see that the well-publicized Districts consultation he launched will continue.

GRADE: D