Montserrado County Electoral District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon, is calling on his colleagues in the 54th legislature to see reasons in reducing their constituency breaks from 18 weeks to 10 weeks.
In a communication submitted to plenary on February 5, according to Rep. Koon, the 18 weeks break is a complete waste of the Liberian people’s resources and time, adding that he believed when reduced to 10 weeks, it will reduce the high cost of too many extra or extraordinary sessions called by the President, as well as give the Legislature ample time to do the Liberian people’s work in order to justify their just benefits.
The Montserrado County representative noted that the time spent for constituency break is already considered to be very wasteful also leaves the Executive Branch to struggle with the preparation of the new budget right after its passage.
Reflecting on past regimes, Rep. Koon noted especially during the presidencies of William V.S. Tubman and William R. Tolbert, members of both houses at the time used to adjourn by July to go on what they now term “Constituency Break” at which time, they visited their constituencies and conferred with their people.
He indicated that when President Samuel K. Doe took office, the nomenclature was then changed to “Agriculture Break” because of the Green Revolution launched by the former President, noting that similarly members of both houses adjourn by July to go on what the term at the “Agriculture Break”, at which time legislators were to visit their farms in promotion of the Green Revolution Policy that was introduced then.
The lawmaker added, “After careful consideration by the 52nd Legislature during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the nomenclature of the break reverted to status quo, therefore the name was again changed from “Agriculture Break” to Constituency Break” because there was no farming done by legislators and the issue of the Green Revolution was then a history.”
Rep. Koon alluded that after the change of name back and forth, members of the both houses began to adjourn by August 31 because of other unfinished issues that needed to be addressed before going on their “Constituency Break” or annual legislative adjournment thus making them to spend 18 weeks away from the Capitol or official duties.
Meanwhile, Rep. Koon has urged the speaker and deputy speaker along with his fellow colleagues to do justice to the Liberian people and the government at large by promptly considering the issue raised by him, as it is a matter of regulation and not a Constitutional issue.
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