Min. Tingban Risks House's Sanctions

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The House of Representatives has compelled Mines and Energy Minister Matenokay Tingban to appear under contempt of the Legislature, and show cause why he should not be sanctioned for what Plenary called his repeated failures to honor lawful summons.

The House's decision was made on Tuesday, February 17, after Minister Tingban reportedly failed to honor a summons to respond to allegations of mining abuses in Wainsue, Bong County.

The concern was raised by Bong County District #3 Representative Marvin Cole took who said Minister's actions are uncalled for and urged the House to invoke its contempt power. "This House is being treated as if it has no power. We are not a ceremonial body," he said.

Lawmakers said the growing trend of public officials ignoring summons from the House is disturbing and said a strong precedent to be set.

Plenary urged Minister Matenokay Tingban to appear on Thursday, February 19, along with his legal counsel, to justify his actions or risk being held in contempt and face unspecified sanctions.

The House stressed that the summon to address allegations in Wainsue, Bong County involve community rights, environmental safety, and government revenue generation are matters of urgent national importance, that the Minister seems to be downplaying.

 “When ministers ignore us, they are also ignoring the suffering of the people,” a lawmaker said.

House members say Minister Tingban's failure to appear is particularly worrisome owing to the fact that he served in the 53rd Legislature and fully understands the binding nature of legislative summons.

“This is not ignorance — this is defiance,” one senior lawmaker declared. “You cannot sit in this House before and now pretend the rules don’t apply.”

Meanwhile, Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon Siboe warned that the Executive Branch is openly disregarding the Legislature. “The Executive is taking this Legislature lightly,” Siboe said. “Ministers are behaving as though the Speaker’s gavel no longer carries authority.”

Lawmakers referenced past instances, including the repeated refusal of Health Minister Louis Kpoto to appear before Plenary despite multiple summons and the controversial walkout by Deputy Foreign Minister Jeddie Armah before Plenary, which they say is becoming habitual.

“You do not walk away from the people’s House because you choose to,” a member said. “That incident weakened the dignity of this Legislature.”