Several aggravated lawmakers of the House of Representatives, on Tuesday entered the main premises of the legislature by means of what is popularly known as Kekeh or Tricycles as a means of transportation.
Bearing the official GoL assigned license plates as seen above, the tricycles were given unhindered access to the main facility of Capitol building.
The aggrieved parties include, Yekeh Kolubah, Jacob Debee, Sumo K. Mulbah, and Zinnah Norman.
Their action is a protest in response to the alleged deliberate failure of the executive to finance activities for the smooth running of that august body, including purchase of 73 vehicles.
The figure to procure the brand new vehicles for the 73 lawmakers is reportedly estimated at US $2.9 million.
According to the legislators, this is one in a series of undisclosed actions they would carry on until the executive addresses their concerns.
The action precedes a stern warning issued in recent weeks by Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, threatening to shut down the House of Representatives due to the alleged calculated failure of the Ministry of Finance to release the necessary funds.
Speaker Koffa is quoted as saying, “We should not have to credit money from money changers to provide gas for our members. We should not lack the tools lawmakers need to work because the Ministry of Finance claims there is no money. If the Commissioner General had said revenue was not performing, we would understand. But he says revenue is over-performing, yet the Senate is well-funded, while the House has only two months’ worth of benefits. We can’t even get money for a retreat and must beg NGOs for stationery. If we cannot resolve this soon, we will shut down the House of Representatives.”
