Speaker Koon Makes Unannounced Visit to House of Representatives Departments

Friday, June 27, 2025

In a decisive step toward strengthening institutional accountability and enhancing internal coordination, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, on Wednesday made an unannounced visit to several key departments within the House of Representatives. His first stop was the Legislative Information Service (LIS), where he spent time interacting with staff and assessing operational functions. Upon arrival at the LIS offices, Speaker Koon was warmly received by Director McCarthy Wreh and the department’s team. The visit marked the Speaker’s first direct engagement with internal departmental units since assuming office earlier this year. Director Wreh guided Speaker Koon on a brief tour of the LIS facilities, showcasing vital areas such as the department’s Library, archival units, and digital research stations. He provided a detailed overview of the department's role in supporting lawmakers through timely legislative research, document management, and information dissemination. Director Wreh also outlined key challenges facing the department, including limited digital infrastructure, staffing constraints, and a growing demand for legislative data access. 

In his remarks, Speaker Koon expressed deep appreciation for the work being carried out by the LIS team and commended the department for its professionalism and resilience in the face of logistical and technological limitations. “This visit is part of my broader initiative to ensure that every department within the House of Representatives receives the attention, resources, and recognition it deserves,” Speaker Koon said. “The Legislative Information Service is a cornerstone of our legislative process, and I am impressed by the dedication and commitment of its staff. It is imperative that we empower this institution to meet the evolving needs of our democracy.” Speaker Koon emphasized that departmental engagement and performance monitoring will be a consistent priority under his leadership. His visit to the LIS marks the beginning of a series of informal assessments intended to identify areas for improvement, promote staff morale, and foster better coordination between legislative support entities and elected lawmakers. 

The Speaker’s tour is expected to extend to several other departments in the coming weeks, including the Legislative Budget Office, Human Resource Division, and the House Security Unit. These engagements are designed to facilitate greater collaboration, address operational bottlenecks, and align departmental functions with the overarching goals of legislative reform and national development. “For the House of Representatives to serve the Liberian people effectively, our internal systems must be strong, responsive, and transparent,” Speaker Koon added. “I look forward to working with every department to improve service delivery and institutional performance.” This initiative underscores Speaker Koon’s leadership style one centered on visibility, accountability, and direct communication with staff. His approach is widely seen as a shift toward a more engaged and reform-oriented administration within the House of Representatives.