Senate Finally Confirms 7 Nominated LACC Officials -Ends Special Session After Resolving Critical National Issues

MONROVIA: The Liberian Senate yesterday, September 5, 2023 ended the Special Session of the National Legislature convened on August 22, 2023 to consider time-bound matters of national interest, with the confirmation of seven officials of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission earlier submitted before the august body by President Weah.

It can be recalled, line with Article 32(b) of the 1986, President George Manneh Weah requested the Special Session for the Senate to discuss and resolve several discussions and decisions made among which was the confirmation of the seven new commissioners of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

In his closing addressing to his colleagues, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Albert Tugbe Chie, thanked them for attending the session and for participating positively in the agenda items which were introduced and also disclosed.

He said on the sideline of the session, the remains of Senator Daniel Flomo Naatehn who died in India some time ago where he had gone to seek medical attention was buried with the full participation of the Senate with heavy hearts.

Speaking on the outcome of the special session, Pro Temp Chie said the confirmation process for the seven (7) nominated commissioners of the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission was concluded and they were confirmed by the Liberian Senate.

He said, however, that the Plenary mandated him not to communicate the results to the Executive until all financial obligations for the unexpired portion of the tenure of the former commissioners, who were not maintained on the new Board of Commissioners, are settled by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

He also stated that the Senate has ratified the Amended and Restated Mineral Development Agreement between the Republic of Liberia and the Bea Mountain Mining Company to continue to develop gold resources in Western Liberia.

The amendment contains improved revenue and benefits to the Government and people of the host communities, that the revised Public Health Law was discussed informally by the Senate and the debate will continue upon their return in the last quarter of this year.

The Senate also held discussion on the issue of security, following which they mandated investigation of the reported breach of information dissemination protocol at the Roberts International Airport and deliberated on other issues of national interest.

Further reporting on the Special Session, the President Pro Tempore stated: “The Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission was cited to provide an update on its readiness to conduct a transparent and impartial elections process in October. The Senate was informed that the Commission is ready; the Government has provided adequate funding for the process and deployment of personnel and logistics will be done on time.

“The Senate received a briefing from the Ministry of Public Works on the progress on road rehabilitation of the primary corridors leading to the Southeast and other places around the country, which has become a national emergency. The Senate noted that the process is very, very slow and the roads are still very deplorable. The Minister committed to double up and deploy more man-power and logistics on the corridor.”

He further said the Minister of Public Works Madam Ruth Coker-Collins also pointed out that most of the contractors on those corridors have failed in the implementation of the contracts despite receiving payments from the Ministry of Finance and that complaints were filed over and over with the Ministry of Justice. He said the Senate has called on the Ministry of Justice to investigate these complaints and pursue the relevant legal action.