Statement by Senate Pro Temp Nyonblee  Karnga Lawrence at the opening of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature, January 13, 2025

Distinguished Colleagues
Directors and staffers
Balcony Guests
Members of the Media
Fellow Liberians
Ladies and gentlemen

I wish you a happy and meaningful New Year,
and I am extremely pleased to welcome you back to the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature, and hope that you had a very productive vacation with your constituents, and happy holidays with your families, friends and loved ones.
I want to thank you, my Distinguished Colleagues, for the year 2024.
The unity, regardless of political affiliation, your support and cooperation, dedication to your committee work, regular engagements, and consultations as a team, helped to make the first year of my leadership a successful one.
Today, we are here to resume the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature, and I wish to present to you a summary report of the 1st Session, including the current state of the Senate governance and financial management practices.
Legislation statistics summary from January to December 2024:
Total Legislations passed: Twenty-seven (27)
Ratifications: Eighteen (18)
Amendments: Three (3)
Enactments: Six (6)
Nominees Confirmed: Nine Hundred and Ninety Six (996)
Legislations in Committee Rooms: Forty (40)
As a result of these reports, I wish to inform all Committees that the agenda for the first three months will focus on all bills in Committee Rooms.
All Committees are required to report on a weekly basis as of Tuesday, January 21, 2025, on Bills in committee rooms. Failure to submit on two occasions will result in the setting up of Ad-hoc Committees or Committee-of-the-Whole to expedite these processes.
The Secretary of the Senate will officially communicate to all relevant Committees by tomorrow, January 14, 2025.
Below are some of the 40 Bills that need to be prioritized:
1. An act to amend Chapter 31 of the Executive Law of 1972 to establish the Liberia Tourism Authority.
2. An Act to amend Title 30 of the Public Authority Law, Liberia Code of Laws Revised to establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority.
3. An Act to ratify the Protocol to the African Chapter on Human and People’s Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and People Rights.
4. An Act to establish the Liberia Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Commission
5. An Act to establish the Liberia Capitol Police (LCP) 2024
6. Zoning Law of Liberia 2024
7. Presidential Transitional Act of 2024
8. Decent Work Act
9. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex
10. The Ministry of Local Government
11. An Act to amend Chapter 4 Sections 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4 of the Criminal Procedure Law on Statute of Limitations
12. The elections law
13. The census report
In keeping with our oversight responsibilities, we would like to see a more aggressive approach from all Committees on the tracking of budget programs and implementation in all sectors. We would like to have a quarterly performance report from all ministries and agencies through the committees for debates and actions. Also, the ways means and finance committee should ensure that the ministry of finance gives a quarterly disbursement report to encourage timely payments to sectors for the timely execution of projects and programs that are needed for the growth and development of our country and the well-being of our people.
The Committee on Public Works is mandated to give the Senate a report in one week on the list of road projects in the budget, locations, costs, and timelines, including outstanding projects.
The Committee on Energy and Environment is mandated to finalize an assessment of the Senate building by the Liberia Electricity Cooperation (LEC) to install a meter for the purpose of paying our electricity bills. We want to take the lead in paying bills for the sustainability of the entity and hold all Government Ministries and Agencies accountable for doing the same.
Report of the Senate governance and financial management practices.
We have championed significant reforms for accountability, transparency, and efficiency within the Senate’s financial management and governance practices.
These reforms address longstanding challenges and pave the way for sustainable improvements. We wish to present a summary of some achievements, work in progress, and future outlook.
1. Audit Recommendations Implementation
As of December 2024, many recommendations of the 174 GAC recommendations from our system audit have been successfully executed, with expectations to achieve 50% completion by early 2025.
Key initiatives include forming the Audit Recommendations Implementation Committee to oversee further progress and ensure long-term adherence to GAC directives.
2. We have established four functional committees in line with the public financial management (PFM) regulations
● Procurement Committee
● Budget Committee
● IT Committee
● Strategic Plan Committee
These committees are designed to provide structure, accountability, and effective oversight.
3. Policy and Manual Development:
To streamline financial operations, we have prioritized drafting critical policy manuals, including:
● Financial Procedure Manual
● HR Manual
● Risk Management Manual
● IT Policy Manual
These documents are aligned with Senate Rules, Public Financial Management (PFM) Regulations, and best practices.
A Financial Manual draft is expected by the end of January 2025, and an HR expert is being consulted for further refinement.
4. Enhancing Staff Capacity
Recognizing the importance of capacity building, we have spearheaded training sessions
on “Enhancing Governance Through Operational Planning and Budgeting”, and
an upcoming training session on IPSAS-compliance financial statements in January 2025, aimed at enabling Senate staff to prepare accurate and standardized financial reports.
For the progress made thus far, we wish to recognize and appreciate our Financial Consultant, Mr. Eric Cassell, the point person from the Office of the Pro Temp, Mr. Alvin Clark, The Secretary of the Senate, Mr. Singbeh, Sen. Browne, the Chair on Rules, Order and Administration, Sen. Twayan, Chair on Modernization, Sen. Moye, Chair on Ways, Means, and Finance and Sen. Chie the Protemp Emeritus for the supervisory role played.
5. Digitization and IT Governance
In response to the Senate’s historical lack of IT infrastructure, we have contracted an IT consultant, John B. Bryant and initiated a digitization strategy, including:
● Implementing scalable software to automate financial processes.
● Establishing IT governance frameworks to ensure data security, access control, and operational continuity.
● Plans to set up a server environment in early 2025.
The Senate has purchased a biometric system for employees’ attendance records, and installation and training is going on by our IT consultant.
6. Five-year Strategic Plan (2025-2030) This strategic plan seeks to strengthen the quality of democratic governance by promoting a more modernized, participatory, and accountable Liberian Senate. It calls for building capacity to enhance oversight and to increase accountability of the governance framework. This is why this Strategic Plan looks forward to focusing on strengthening the Senate’s capacity to exercise its oversight and be more accountable for the laws we enact.
As such, it desires to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and technology it needs in order to execute its function with expedience. The Senate has contracted Dr. Yarsuo Weh-Dorliae Governance Consultant to work with a committee headed by the modernization chairman to work on the strategic plan for the Senate. This process starts tomorrow with the involvement of all relevant committees. We look forward to launching the strategic plan in six weeks.
● Improved Reporting Systems: The Senate’s ongoing reforms emphasize monitoring, evaluation, and regular documentation, which are critical for maintaining accurate and timely records of legislative activities. Since January 2024, the Senate has regularly produced its Weekly Journal and updated the Senate website for public consumption.
We want to recognize and appreciate Mr. Mustapha Emile Kommeh for doing a great job with producing the Senate’s Weekly Journals.
The Senate Website is also successfully completed, and our in-house staff have been trained to update the website with the daily work and other news. Thanks to the modernization committee.
The Modernization Committee has concluded plans with the Cable Consortium of Liberia to provide internet service on the Capitol grounds as work will begin early 2025.
ROA and Central Administration:
The Liberian Senate, in collaboration with the Civil Service Agency, has retired 43 persons. In addition to their required civil servants’ benefits, the Senate has given a handshake envelope to each retiree in appreciation of their services rendered. Those retired have worked at the Senate for more than 15 years or are 65 years and over. Our oldest retiree is 83 years.
The Senate, at a retreat in Buchanan City in June 2024, reviewed the Senate Rules and passed on all amendments in the Plenary. The Rules have been printed and distributed to all Senators.
Renovation work of the Senate, which will include the renovation of the Senate’s original Chambers, is ongoing.
Security:
We have asked the Liberia National police to take charge of the security at the Senate and work in collaboration with the senate security department until all security measures are put in place by our Defense and Security Committee.
We ask for the cooperation of everyone to ensure the proper execution of measures that will be put in place.
We are concluding arrangements with the Minister of Public Works for the installation of Solar-Powered Streetlights to enhance nighttime visibility and deter criminal activities around the Capitol Building,
The Security and Defense Committee is also consulting for the installation of a state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance system covering all key areas within
and around the Capitol Building.
This will complement real-time monitoring that will enhance rapid response to any incidents and aid in post-event investigations.
Employees wellbeing:

Water and sanitation which have been a major concern have been addressed. Two buses were provided for the staff.  The funding for health insurance is now available and the process to select a provider is ongoing by the ROA committee. A waiting and entertainment room was built and dedicated for all drivers of Senators and in central administration.
The Liberian Senate had three special sittings in 2024, and all staff were paid for two sittings, and the payment for the final sitting is being processed from the 2025 national budget that was signed by the President after the press statement from the leadership of the staffers.
We would like to inform the leadership of the Senate staffers, that the Senate will no longer tolerate unlawful disruptions of the Senate functions and misleading information to the public. The press conference by the leadership accusing the Senate of denying staff Special siting benefits is false and misleading, and the Senate Rules Order and Administration Committee (ROA) Chairman has been asked to investigate this matter and take appropriate actions.
We wish to encourage the leadership to always use the options of engagement and proper research to address matters of concern. The chairperson of the Rules, Order and Administration committee has been very assessable and cooperative.
Before I close, we again extend our deepest sympathies to the Senate, Counties, and Families for the loss of our former and sitting Colleagues:
1. Sen. Sumo Kupee, Lofa County
2. Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, Nimba County
3. Sen. Joyce Musu Freeman-Sumo, Montserrado County
4. Former Vice President John D. Gray

5. Former President Pro Tempore Sen. Cletus Segbe Wotorson, Grand Kru
The book of condolence for Senator Prince Johnson will be signed at 1:00PM today.
Distinguished Colleagues, we look forward to a more productive year, the best working relationship, and dedication to work for our country.

Thank you

11 Comments
  1. You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely large for me.
    I’m taking a look forward in your next put up, I’ll try to get the grasp
    of it!

  2. Medankepo.com says

    There’s certainly a lot to learn about this subject.
    I like all of the points you made. http://medankepo.com/ngembour/MalcolmddBatisterv

  3. tangguifang.dreamhosters.com says

    Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I have read stuff from.

    Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just
    book mark this page. https://tangguifang.dreamhosters.com/comment/html/?1095955.html

  4. Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this topic for a long time and
    yours is the greatest I’ve came upon till now. But, what
    about the conclusion? Are you positive concerning the source? http://suprememasterchinghai.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=4261562

  5. Hey There. I found your weblog the use of msn. This is an extremely well written article.

    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to learn extra
    of your useful information. Thank you for the post. I will certainly comeback. http://Forum.Altaycoins.com/profile.php?id=1027181

  6. We’re a bunch of volunteers and starting a brand new
    scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful
    information to work on. You’ve done an impressive activity and our whole neighborhood shall be thankful to
    you. http://Unnewsusa.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=3542766

  7. Howdy I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you
    by accident, while I was researching on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now and would
    just like to say thank you for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it
    all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your
    RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the superb
    jo. https://cl-system.jp/question/papier-cartonne-de-100-lb-tout-ce-que-vous-devez-savoir-sur-son-epaisseur-6/

  8. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.
    I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
    Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.

  9. payung4d says

    Hello to all, the contents present at this website are truly remarkable for people knowledge, well,
    keep up the nice work fellows.

  10. A course on Biomagnetism by Dr. Garcia is enlightening and comprehensive, with its detailed lectures combined with hands-on training.
    It has been designed for a broad range of learners at
    different stages in their career or from various fields; this it does by giving
    more weight to the scientific method as well as continuous
    developments in biomagnetism skills. The U.S courts are taught about
    not only through theoretical discussions but also practical
    seminars where students get involved with different activities
    related to what they have learnt so far during
    their studies such as principles behind this science and how it can be applied into practice within legal systems
    of America. There is an imposed strict dress code which
    aims at creating professionalism among all participants towards each
    other while showing respectfulness too. Those health care professionals who want to incorporate holistic methods into their practice especially those who
    want to be good at it should attend this workshop.

  11. tANGGuIfAng.dREAMhOSters.cOm says

    What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness
    of precious experience about unexpected emotions. https://Tangguifang.Dreamhosters.com/comment/html/?1097694.html

Comments are closed.