Lofa County District #3 Representative, Clarence K. Massaquoi, on Thursday, September 8, led a resounding resistance against the controversial Pension Bill recently passed by the Senate.
The bill titled “an act adopting an integrated pensions and benefits scheme for certain categories of officials of the government of the republic of Liberia and to repeal and or amend certain portions of title 26, Legislative Act, Title 12, Executive Law and Title 17, Judiciary (1972) and the 2003 act which amends these laws”, for the three branches of government, seeks to allot 50 percent benefits to retired lawmakers, the president and Vice President, Justices as well as circuit courts judges. It also seeks to allow the President maintain 75% of his staff and assigned security detail following retirement.
Immediately after the reading of the Engrossed Bill (communication) from the Senate, the Presiding Officer, Deputy Speaker, J. Fonati Koffa recognized the Unity Party lawmaker to initiate the debate.
Clarence Massaquoi, in his usual articulate and pointed tone, called on members of the House of Representatives to refuse, oppose and reject the bill as if it had never been laid before the House for passage (concurrence).
Representative Massaquoi argued that given the state of the Liberian economy and the destitution of the population, he believes the proposed law is extremely inappropriate and should not be concurred with by the House of Representatives.
The Unity Party stalwart argued further that Liberia is at such a critical economic juncture that the masses look up to their leaders for patriotic and people-centered decisions (laws) that seek to alleviate the current economic hardship and prepare a better future, and not to enact laws and or make policies that would further perpetuate the sufferings of the people and retard national growth and development.
Amidst unquestionable approval on the plenary floor and the public gallery, Massaquoi reminded his colleagues that the world is watching and generations unborn are preparing their verdicts, as Liberians today are enduring excruciating living conditions.
Now, according Massaquoi, is the time for the current leaders of Liberia, particularly legislators to make redeeming laws, carve emancipating policies and lay the grounds for future public acquital and vindication.
The Lofa County lawmaker is also on record to have vehemently opposed the new amendment voted for by the Senate to declare the positions of all magistrates of the National Elections Commission vacant, and requiring current magistrates to reapply if they desire to serve in said positions.
He averred that the credibility of the impending 2023 election process is a collective responsibility of all Liberians, particularly, national decision makers and the amendment as voted for by the Senate, essentially undermines the sanity of Liberia’s democracy, especially the 2023 elections.
Representative Massaquoi, who is serving his second six year term on the ticket of the former governing Unity Party, is widely heralded for his bi-partisan robust and insightful stance on critical national issues, especially in the concession sector.
Massaquoi, Chairman of the House Committee on Investment and Concession, has also headed many ad-hoc and specialized committees to investigate and review concession agreements and advise ways forward. One recent concession agreement on which Representative Massaquoi helped to guide the House of Representatives’ decisions is the controversial US$800 Million new AcelorMittal Agreement.
