Africa
Finance Minister Ngafuan Survives Incarceration
By Michael Kpayili. Liberian Times 16/3/10
Mar 17, 2010 - 10:10:40 AM

Hours after news spread around Monrovia concerning the incarceration of Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan on Friday, March 12, 2010 by the Liberian Senate, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf strangely visited the Capitol Building at the astonishment of Liberians.

Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan has been invited by the Liberian Senate to answer questions in relation to the delay in financial allotments of the Lawmakers. Minister Ngafuan was invited to an Executive session and was faced with inquiry for several hours before the arrival of the President motorcade at the Capitol Building.

Being careful with the laws that guide separation of power in Liberia, President Sirleaf proceeded to the office of the Vice President who is also the President of the Liberian Senate. Detail of her discussion with the Vice President is yet unknown, but some Lawmakers hinted this media that the discussion highlighted the threshold bill and other bills before the Senate.

President Sirleaf last month vetoed the threshold bill sent before it on grounds that the population for each constituency was unnecessary.

According to reports gathered within the corridors of the Liberian Senate, a motion was raised by Grand Bassa County Senator Nathanial Innis to detain the Finance Minister during an executive session of the Senate until he can address their allotment which has been delayed.

The Finance Minister survived the motion after President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf reportedly intervened following a surprise visit at the Capitol Building last Friday. It is not however clear what level of intervention the President reportedly made but Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio revealed that President Sirleaf had gone to discuss her Legislative Agenda with the Senate. He further indicated that that the President’s visit had no connection with the appearance of Finance Minister Ngafuan.