Monrovia, Liberia – Ministers and presidential appointees have received a strong warning from Vice President Jeremiah Koung to respect the Senate or face legislative action. VP Koung warned authorities not to disregard a parliamentary summons, saying, “The president nominates, but the Senate confirms.”
The appropriate course of action, he continued, is to formally notify the head of the relevant committee if an official is unable to come before the Senate.
The warning was issued when two high-ranking officials, Dr. Louis Kpoto, the health minister, and Augustine K. Ngafuan, the finance minister, appeared before a Senate committee to defend their refusal to answer to the body.
Vice President Koung reminded government officials that presidential appointments alone do not guarantee office. Without Senate approval, he said, “you cannot become ministers or directors.”
The Senate agreed to balance justice with mercy after hearing from the two ministers, indicating a warning rather than punishment but leaving little question about the chamber’s power.
