MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Senate Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security, and Veteran Affairs has intervened in the standoff between the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police.
The situation led to the manhandling of an officer of the Liberia National Police in Paynesville on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill following a meeting, the Senate Committee Chair on Defense, Momo Cyrus, termed the situation as unfortunate and called on both parties to investigate the matter.
The Lofa County Senator said the altercation has the propensity to create unnecessary division among members of the security sector of the country.
The Senate Defense Committee Chairman called on the leaderships of the AFL and LNP to strengthen relations among officers in the interest of the country.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Liberia and the Liberia National Police have assured the Senate of an enhanced relationship.
The Inspector General of Police and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, Gregory Coleman and Davidson Forleh, vowed to monitor the situation and institute disciplinary actions.
The move is aimed at promoting cordial working relationships between the two state security apparatuses.
According to our reporter, Col. Coleman and Major General Forleh were escorted by officers of the LNP and AFL on Capitol Hill Thursday.
The meeting was also attended by scores of Senators in the Chambers of the Senate.
Meanwhile, the Senate has mandated its committee on Commerce to invite authorities of the Ministry of Commerce, the Central Bank of Liberia, and the Liberian Business Association to discuss issues on the rise in prices.
The Senate’s decision was triggered by communication from Sinoe County Senator Crayton Duncan on Thursday.
Senator Duncan noted that the Ministry of Commerce as a regulatory body seems to be reneging on its responsibility as prices of commodities continue to skyrocket.
He noted that the Inspector General of Commerce needs to appear before the August Body to explain the cause of the current persistent rise in prices of commodities and plans put in place to remedy the situation.
Meanwhile, the Committee is expected to report to the Plenary within two weeks.
At the same time, the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agency has cited the Director General of the General Services Agency, Galakpa Kortima, for allegedly setting the national threads hold for government vehicle purchase at US-60,000.
The Senate’s decision to instruct its Autonomous Agency Committee was prompted by communication from Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe on Thursday.
Senator Snowe, in his communication, added that the GSA alleged decision contravenes the budget law which sets the threads hold at 45,000 United States Dollars.
He added that the action raises grave concerns regarding compliance with the law, fiscal discipline, and transparency in public expenditure.
Meanwhile, the Committee is expected to report to the Plenary within two weeks.
By: Sampson David