Africa-Press – Liberia. Capitol Building, Monrovia- Members of the House of Representatives and Senate of the 55th Legislature return from recess today for the 2nd Quarter after an 11-day recess of the 1st Quarter.
The Legislature’s 1st Quarter should have lasted for seven (7) weeks but was cut short following a recall from President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., for the lawmaking body to address “time-bound” critical national matters.
“We acknowledge your first adjournment (First Constituency visit/break, which by law started on the Third Friday of March, same being the 15th instant and will end on the Second Friday in May, same being the 10th instant of each year). However. there are time-bound critical national issues that must be resolved as a matter of urgency. They are so critical that they cannot wait for the return of the Legislature in May,” said the President in two separate communications to Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa of the House of Representatives and Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga of the Senate.
In the spirit of coordination, collaboration, and governance of the State, the Legislature acted on the President’s three communications including the ratification of the adoption of Value Added Tax (VAT) replacing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the passage of the 2024 National Budget in the tone of US$738.8m, and the confirmation of agents of the Executive (appointees).
Legislature Now in Full
Since January 15, the membership of the House has been 72 following the death of Gedeh County District #1 Representative Erol Madison Gwion, Sr.; while the Senate has been 29 because of the election of Senator Jeremiah Koung of Nimba County as Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.
Rep. Gwion died on December 4, 2023, and his death created the very first vacancy in the House of Representatives. On November 14, Amb. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr and Senator Jeremiah Koung were announced winners and declared as President-elect and Vice President-elect. Sen. Mount’s election created the first vacation in the Senate.
Hopefully on Thursday, 16th May 2024, the House of Representatives and the Senate will be complete with the addition of the last member in each House.
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has certificated Jeremiah Garwo Sokan, Sr., as Representative-elect of electoral district#1, Grand Gedeh County (Independent) and ruling Unity Party Candidate Nya D. Twayen, Jr., as Senator-elect of Nimba County.
The swearing-in of the two will complete the membership of the House of Representatives to 73 and the Senate to 30.
Meanwhile, the House and Senate upon return will separately and likely debate three bills that seem critical to the ARREST agenda of President Boakai.
Those three bills are the amendment of TITLE 12, CHAPTER 1, PART 1, EXECUTIVE LAW, LIBERIAN CODES OF LAW REVISED BY CREATING A NEW SUB-CHAPTER “E” TO BE KNOWN- AS PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION ACT.
President Boakai said Liberia is rapidly cultivating democratic values for healthy democratization, peaceful advancement, and enduring permanency.
“The transfer of political power from one democratically elected president to another democratically elected president in our recent history is a testament to this significant democratic progress,” he stated.
According to the President, the non-existence of a legal mechanism/protocol for the organization and smooth transition has been a national issue, sometimes creating inefficacy.
The Liberian Leader added that the bill, when enacted, shall apply to and govern all transitional activities of the Government of Liberia following the holding of General and Presidential elections culminating in the transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another.
The instrument was forwarded to the committees on Executive, Judiciary, and Elections & Inauguration to report one week upon the House’s return in May.
At the same time, the Liberian Leader is seeking amendment to TITLE 30, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, LIBERIAN CODES OF
LAW REVISED TO ESTABLISH THE LIBERIA NATIONAL TOURISM AUTHORITY ACT- LNTA.
The President argued that the objective and purpose of the bill is to detach “Tourism” from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, to make Tourism, which seems to be almost dormant, an independent entity that will enhance and improve the tourism sector of the Country.
“The Tourism Sector, when properly managed, will be an engine of investment, employment, growth, national development, international integration and reconciliation,” President Boakai indicated.
The instrument was forwarded to the Committee on Information and Broadcasting, and Judiciary to report within two weeks upon the body’s return in May.
And the third bill is to repeal CHAPTER 25, MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, TITLE 12 EXECUTIVE LAW OF 1972, LIBERIAN CODES OF LAW REVISED, TO ESTABLISH IN ITS STEAD, A NEW CHAPTER 25 TO BE KNOWN AS THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
According to the President, the objective of the bill is to amend the Act establishing the Ministry of Internal Affairs and to create in its stead the Ministry of Local Government consistent with the Local Government Act of 2018.
He said, when enacted, the Ministry of Local Government shall be responsible for providing executive oversight to, mentor, and guide, all local governments, specifically in their management of balanced, socio-economic development programs.
“These include communal farming, research, boundary harmonization; empowerment of local communities, strengthening of the delivery of social services, cultural and traditional practices,” the Liberian Leader added.
President Boakai said the Ministry will also enhance the promotion of peace and reconciliation and delivery of good governance, including popular participation, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and access to justice at local levels, consistent with the Local Government Act of 2018 and all laws, policies, strategies, and regulations relating to local governance and peacebuilding.
The instrument has been forwarded to Judiciary and Internal Affairs to report upon the House’s return in May.
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