Senator Zargo Elected to Chair Defense, Intelligence, Security Committee
Senator Steve J.H. Zargo
-As Plenary Mandates His C’ttee to Conduct Investigation on Sinking Vessel
The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has elected Lofa County ranking Senator, Steve J.H. Zargo through a white ballot as Chairman of the Senate Statutory Committee on Defense, Security, Intelligence and Veteran Affairs.
The election of Senator Zargo comes after the former chairman of that committee, Prince Y. Johnson, unceremoniously resigned amid pressure from the United States Embassy near Monrovia, citing his involvement in the Liberian civil war as a condition for which it cannot work with him.
Senator Johnson, like Zargo, was elected on a white ballot.
Casting the white ballot, Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee K. Lawrence who chairs the Senate committee on Rules, Order and Administration, said the decision of plenary to elect the Lofa County Lawmaker is based on his hard work, competence and experience in the security sector.
Addressing the Plenary of the Senate following his election, Zargo, who is also a member of the ECOWAS Parliament, thanked his colleagues for reposing confidence in him and he promised to work in the interest of the Liberian People, especially reforms within the security sector.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Senate has closed for Liberia’s 174th Independence Day celebration to return to Capital August 2, 2021.
In another development, the Plenary of the Senate yesterday mandated the Senator Zargo-chaired committees to conduct a speedy investigation into issues surrounding the sinking of the locally registered NIKO IVANKA vessel, which led to the loss of lives of several passengers with 11 persons so far rescued.
The decision by the Senate was triggered by a communication from River Gee County Senator, Jonathan Boycharles Sogbie.
Senator Sogbie, in his communication dated July 22, 2021, called for the Commissioner-General of the Liberia Maritime Authority (LMA), and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to be cited to give clarity on how NIKO IVANDA, a detained vessel lacking all safety measures and not licensed as passenger Carrier could have sailed without the knowledge of the LMA and AFL, especially with passengers and goods on board.
The committee is expected to report its findings to plenary two weeks following the Independence break.
Meanwhile, reports from Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County yesterday evening, said a Kru fisherman discovered the body of one of the missing WAEC examiners floating on the Atlantic Ocean.