Liberia: Bong County Reps. Cole, Kolleh Nearly Fight In Session

Representatives Melvin Cole and James Kolleh nearly engaged in fist fight in session due to disagreements over the presentation of the Central Agriculture Research Institute (CARI) Director-General.

Cole, who is a member of the ruling Coalition Change, and Kolleh of the opposition People’s Unification Party (PUP), had to be separated by colleagues to avoid punches.

But both men hurled threats and insults at each other — leading some lawmakers to resort to angry outbursts to manage the commotion. The brawl broke out when Cole and Kollie — both representing districts in Bong County — decided to counter-argue with each other, which was somehow nasty.

Kolleh had argued that Dr. Victor Sumo, who is still an Acting Officer-In-Charge or Acting Director-General of CARI, is yet to be confirmed by the Liberian Senate. But Rep. Cole county argued that Sumo is not an Acting OIC because he has been confirmed by the Board of Directors of CARI.

Cole noted that most of the current problems in CARI have been inherited but have been gradually solved, amid lack of funding hampering the operations at CARI.

“Guess what, I can call people to disgrace you. You don’t have gangsters more than me. You useless man, I will deal with you. I got security, I got the manpower. I will deal with you. You are risking your very life," Cole said to Kolleh.

But Kolleh said: “I dare you! You are not a man. You can’t do anything to me. You will only touch him (Rep. Edward Karfia) in my absence; not while I am present. That will be your last.”

With these exchanges, Deputy Speaker J. Fonati Koffa who have had enough on his plate ordered the Deputy Sergeant-at-arms to escort them out of the Chamber.

It may be recalled that the CARI’s Director-General was summoned with regards to allegations of bad labor practice, dissatisfaction amongst employees, and the refusal of the Director-General to adhere to suggestions put forward to him by the Specialized Committee, composed of the Labor and Agriculture Committees.

The House's Committees chairmen on Labor and Agriculture, Reps. P. Mike Jurry and Prince Tokpah, respectively and separately in Tuesday's session, considered the actions of the CARI Executive Director as uncooperative and recalcitrant.

The House's Labor and Agriculture Committees’ chairmen complained that during their visit to CARI in Bong County, Dr. Sumo remained stiff-necked and failed to cooperate with the House's Specialized Committee to mitigate issues surrounding picketing, go-slow, and riot actions of employees at the institution.

The CARI boss apologized for his actions but appealed to the House of Representatives to work with him to solve the issues at CARI and the biases that come with the harmonization.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives voted to re-send the CARI Director-General to the Specialized Committee.

Acting Presiding officer Deputy Speaker, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, told the CARI Boss to submit to the Committees’ probe and should not disrespect the Committees or he would be reprimanded because the House of Representatives works through Committees. 

“We will always defend the integrity of the Legislature, especially the House of Representatives to carry on his Responsibility,” Koffa, said.