Monrovia – The Director of the Legislative Information Service has renewed a call to House Speaker Alex Tyler, contained in a March 8 communication addressed to the Speaker, seeking Speaker Tyler’s intervention for US$33, 000 belonging to the Department for the rehabilitation and restoration of the joint service department.
The Information department dilapidated spaces were renovated and equipped with funding provided by the United States’ House of Representatives through USAID, for research, archives and library services to members and staff of the Legislature.
The LIS assists lawmakers in their task of informed decision making. The U. S. assistance in the establishment of the LIS was provided under the Legislative Modernization program.
Director McCarthy Weh in his communication to Speaker Tyler reminded the Speaker of the appropriation of US$100, 000 in the 2014/15 National Budget. He intimated that the amount, which was received by the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee, was used in-part to pay for renovation work and purchase of a vehicle.
Mr. Weh said the balance of the amount in the tone of 33,000 is yet to be accounted for. He said the department has not been effective in the last three years due to late payment of the renovation fund by the House of Representatives following the 2013 fire incident.
The LIS Director said: “Availability of the fund will have the research, archives and library spaces fully refurbished with internet connectivity, digitization of the legislative archives, DStv and local dailies subscriptions paid, fueling and servicing of 39kva stand-by generator, amongst others, for commencement of effective service delivery.”
Meanwhile, Director Weh has underscored the need for the Legislature to introduce ‘Administration and Management’ in the pending 2016/2017 National Budget. This system ensures that budgetary support for departments are detached from the Senators and Representatives’ appropriations/allotments.
The system, as it is being requested, will have departmental support captured in the National Budget under the offices of the Secretary of the Senate and Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives.
‘Administration and Management’ will address the critical concerns of staff development confronting the Legislature and enhance professionalism at the First Branch of Government.
Administration and Management is one of twelve-count reform measures proposed by the LIS Director in December 2015 to the leadership committees of the House and Senate. Mr. Weh is leading a campaign against the Presidential bid of Speaker Alex Tyler.