Senate Rejects Ambrose Nmah

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's nominee for the post of Director General of the state-owned Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Darryl Ambrose Nmah, was rejected by the Senate last week.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Cletus S. Wortorson told legislative reporters last Thursday, April 1, 2010, that he was not in a position to give reasons for Nmah's rejection on grounds that the decision was taken in the senate executive or closed door session. He added that any decision reached in such session could not be released to the public in line with the body's rules.

According to him, the Senate Standing Rules prohibit individuals from divulging information on decisions taken by members of the Senate in secret session.

However, other reports gathered by the Daily Observer in the corridors of the Senate indicate that the rejection of the presidential nominee was due to his 'poor human relations'.

Nmah is presently the Assistant Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of National Defense in Monrovia, a post he has held for more than nine months.

Meanwhile, a motion for reconsideration has been filed before the Senate by Sinoe County Senior Senator Mabutu Nyenpan and is expected to be put to test this week.

According to the Senate Standing Rules, the motion filed on behalf of Mr. Nmah will have to obtain 20 votes if members of the Liberian Senate are to reconsider their decision regarding his rejection.

In another legislative development, the Liberian Senate has confirmed several presidential nominees to serve in various capacities in the public sector.

Among those confirmed are Mr. Idella Cooper, Assistant Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice; Mr. Abraham Fahnbulleh, Assistant Minister for Codification at the Minister of Justice; Emma Wuo, Assistant Minister for Correction and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice; and Mr. John B. S. Davis, Comptroller-General at the Ministry of Finance.

The confirmed nominees also include Mr. Prince Cain Andrews, Assistant Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Finance; Mr. Willie Belleh, Chairman at the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC); Mr. Daniel Johnson, Superintendent, River- Gee County; and Mr. Alexander Yeaher, Assistant Superintendent for Development, River Gee County.