Africa-Press – Liberia. The Liberian Senate is convening in the port city of Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, for a four-day retreat to strategize and chart a new course for the Senate’s activities—a significant gathering that comes six months since the beginning of the 55th Legislature.
The retreat, according to the office of the President Pro tempore, Madam Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, aims to address the disconnect between legislators and constituents, which has been noted as a factor contributing to a low turnover rate in recent elections.
It is no secret that parliaments the world over play a critical role not only in democratization but the governance and development of states and the people. This means there is always a compelling need for legislators to be connected to the people.
However, this is easier said than done, especially in third-world or underdeveloped countries. Efforts by lawmakers in a country like Liberia in which poverty rate, illiteracy, and underdevelopment, to stay and remain connected, are confronted with a plethora of challenges that blur the chances of sustained legislative-constituents connectivity.
This avalanche of challenges triggers a disconnect between the elected and the electorates. This disconnect eventually leads to a low turnover rate. Except for Montserrado County, where electorates largely vote for issues-based contestants, the rest of the counties largely opt for contestants who deliver “tangibles.”
This was evident in the last elections as of the 15 seats declared vacant in the Senate during the 2023 legislative elections, 11 sitting senators (73.3%) did not return to the Senate, while a mere 4 (26.7%) returned. Some pundits place this dismal turnover rate squarely on the level of disconnect between legislators and their constituents.
“It is predicated upon this and other reasons the Liberian Senate under the 55th Legislature is endeavoring to produce a compelling roadmap agenda,” a senate source told the Daily Observer. “We decided the four-day retreat to kick-start this historic visioning process,” he said.
During the conference, Senate members will focus on reviewing and amending their rules, reviewing their financial management systems and policies, reviewing the Senate reform agenda, security measures, and national compliance policy, as well as decentralization and modernization.
The President Pro tempore of the Liberian Senate Madam Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence has said on many occasions that her top priority is to see a reformed Senate that truly reflects the interests of the country and its citizens.
The President Pro tempore is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability by directing the General Auditing Commission to do a comprehensive review of the Senate’s financial system and establish a robust operating system, including financial and administrative measures.
“This framework will enable regular audits and enhance our oversight responsibilities. Since 2014, I have advocated for good governance and adequate oversight of government expenditures, emphasizing the national budget as a tool for reform and transformation,” she said when she ordered the GAC a few months ago to carry out the audit. “In 2016, I proposed that all Ministries, Agencies & Commissions (MACs) submit their annual budgets with programs to ensure transparency and better oversight. Despite challenges in logistics, human capacity, and technology, I remain committed to achieving our administration’s vision through this agenda roadmap.”
The retreat backgrounds
Speaking of voters’ quest for tangible development as criteria to elect their leaders, and since a single lawmaker may not be financially balanced enough to single-handedly address, the development priorities of a given county or district, strategies must be evolved.
As such, a joint Senate-House collaboration on the revitalization of the county development fund is required; thus, carving an effective decision-making mechanism–decisions that will be geared toward positively impacting the lives and wellbeing of the electorates. This effective decision-making goal must decisively focus on increasing the revenue envelope of the nation.
Increment in revenue would lead to the effective functioning of hospitals and other medical centers, enhance the educational sector, cultivate self-feeding agriculture effectiveness, sufficient presence of security personnel across the country, salary increment for teachers, doctors, health workers, etc., vastly improved water and sanitation services, youth development, amongst others. To achieve all this, the 55th Legislature, yea the Liberian Senate, will have to make program-based budgeting a priority for counties.
The General Auditing Agency (GAC) will do a financial reform management report. Vital also for discussion at the retreat would be the county development plan and revenue enhancement. As well as the topical issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) for the spotlight.
Compliance will be critically dissected during the deliberations. Also to be critically analyzed is the resource extraction model–how the country’s portion of resource extraction is evolved and how is regulated. The deliberation aspect of the retreat will be presented to review committees and institutions under each committee for oversight, for checkmating potential interferences and usurpations.
A working document will be prepared for references or guidance as the Senate continues its work thereafter. Senators and other participants arrived in Buchanan City on Thursday, June 6, and are expected to depart on Sunday, June 9.
Participants are expected to engage in constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts to enhance the Senate’s effectiveness in serving the interests of the Liberian people. The retreat signifies a commitment to improving legislative governance and connecting with constituents for the overall development and well-being of the nation.
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