MONROVIA – Prior to Monday, January 11, 2021 resumption of legislative activities, there have been speculations about election for a new President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, though the current, Sen. Albert Chie, is yet to end his six-year tenure.
The speculations stem from the results of the December 8, 2020 Special Senatorial Elections that saw 11 of the 14 Senators who sought re-election defeated and a good number of opposition figures winning against the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change candidates.
On Monday, Senate Pro-Temp announced that there is no vacancy for the position of Senate Pro-Temp until 2024. He announced that with the election results shown so far from the National Elections Commission, there are vacancies for few positions in the Senate leadership which include; Committees on Foreign Affairs, Education, Defense, security and Intelligence and Veteran Affairs, Public Works.
“Besides these positions, there are no other vacancies on the leadership committee until January 2024, in line with the Constitution and the standing rules of the Senate,” the Pro-Temp Stated.
The Pro-Temp Spoke Monday when the Senate received the certification and other credential of five new Senators who were cleared by the Nation Elections Commission after they were declared winners of the December 8, 2020 senatorial polls in their respective counties.
He welcomed the new Senators and asked them to start their duties with vigor and called on sitting Senators to begin the 4th session with new determination.
He reminded his colleagues about the many issues confronting the country which he said is part of the Legislative agenda of the Senate.
He named liquidity issues involving both Liberian Dollars and the US Dollar currencies at the banks and on the market, restoration of confidence in the banking sector, measures to strengthen the Liberian economy and review of certain concession agreements by the Executive Branch, as the review period indicated in some of the concession agreement has elapsed as issues that require urgent attention.
Our Democracy is Alive
Also speaking at the resumption of the Senate, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor said, although Liberia today faces a myriad of issues ranging from high insecurity, lack of banknotes, high cost of living, a sluggish economy, lack of basic services for the majority of the people, distrust, mistrust, among others, the country’s democracy is alive and growing stronger.
According to her, the December 8 Special Senatorial is an evidence that the voices of Liberians are getting louder and democracy is growing.
“They have sent a clarion message to all and sundry that they no longer accept things as they are; but they expect much more from their Representatives at all levels. The great news, however, is that we have a brand-new opportunity, in a brand New Year, in a brand new decade; to change the trajectory of our national walk together. One which we know can produce fruits of unity, peace, development and progress for all.
VP Taylor added: “It is my prayer that each of us will so commit, being cognizant of the glaring fact that the people are the true custodians of our democracy, and they long for a more united, equitable and prosperous Liberia. The call has been sounded and the decisions to heed them are yours to obey.”
She said as President of the Liberian Senate, she will count on the individual and collective support and cooperation in pursuit of the fulfillment of the long-awaited national development program for the prosperity of our people from every member of the Senate.