MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon W. Seboe has warned that House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon risks losing authority over the Legislature if continued “disrespect” from Executive branch institutions goes unchecked.
Speaking during legislative discussions surrounding a communication reportedly submitted by Representative James Kolleh Banks, Seboe criticized the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the Ministry of Commerce, and other government institutions for allegedly ignoring invitations and communications from the House of Representatives.
“Mr. Speaker, Deputy Presiding, colleagues, we discussed at length the letter that was written by Hon. Banks,” Seboe said. “But Mr. Speaker, it is important for us to consider these two layers.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as the failure of some Executive agencies to respond to the authority of the Legislature, warning that such actions undermine the authority of the Speaker and the institution as a whole.
“The fact that government institutions, the LRA and the Ministry of Commerce, will be written by this Honorable House, and they have refused to come and/or even write a letter — Mr. Speaker, I am really afraid that you are losing your gavel gradually if you continue to accept the attitude of people who work in the Executive,” Seboe stated.
He further questioned how lawmakers would be perceived if they ignored an invitation from the President in a similar manner.
“I wonder how it will sound if the President calls a meeting of the Legislature and we all refuse to go,” he added.
Seboe stressed that the Legislature must take decisive action to address what he called the continued disregard for the authority of the House by Executive agencies.
“Our colleagues in the Executive are thinking so much less of us here,” he said. “On a more serious note, we have to call this to a serious order. We can’t have the LRA, the Ministry of Commerce, and other institutions continuing to disrespect this Honorable House.”
The comments have added to growing discussions surrounding tensions between the Legislative and Executive branches of government.
