Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives is reviewing a proposal seeking the procurement of vehicles valued at US$15,000 each for all 73 Chiefs of Office Staff (COS) serving members of the 55th Legislature, totaling US$1.09 million.
During its regular session on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, marking the first sitting day of the Third Quarter of the Second Session, the House Plenary forwarded the matter to its Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance for analysis. The committee has been instructed to work in consultation with the Leadership of the House to assess both the feasibility and necessity of the procurement before making recommendations.
The move follows a joint communication from Representatives Michael Thomas, Prince A. Toles, Prescilla A. Cooper, and Alex J. Grant, who raised concerns about the logistical challenges faced by Chiefs of Office Staff in carrying out their duties effectively.
According to the communication, Chiefs of Office Staff play a crucial role in legislative operations, serving as direct deputies to Representatives in coordinating representation, lawmaking, and oversight functions. They also supervise office staff and often stand in for lawmakers during official engagements outside the Capitol.
“Our Chiefs of Office Staff find it increasingly difficult to meet deadlines for several engagements through public transportation,” the lawmakers noted. “This situation impedes our functions and affects the smooth operation between assigned destinations. We therefore crave the indulgence of this Honorable Body to consider procuring vehicles valued at US$15,000 for each of the 73 Chiefs of Office Staff to facilitate their mobility and improve overall legislative performance.”
Following deliberations, Plenary agreed to forward the communication to the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee, with a mandate to collaborate with the House Leadership and report back with appropriate recommendations.
If approved, the initiative would aim to boost staff efficiency and enhance the overall performance of the Legislature, aligning with efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve service delivery to the Liberian people.
