Monrovia – Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has termed the continuous allegations of corruption and mistrust amongst government functionaries as challenges the CDC-led government is grappling with as it draws the curtains on the first of its six-year term.
Report by Gerald C. Koiyeneh, [email protected]
Also, on top of the list of issues serving as challenges to the government, the Vice President Taylor mentioned the allegations of the alleged missing L$16 billion and the reports of rape cases.
She made the assertions in her remarks during programs marking the formal opening of the second session of the 54th Legislature on Monday, January 14 at the Capitol.
Said Veep Howard-Taylor: “… there were some challenges attending our first year; with concerns being expressed in some quarters of our society about alleged missing funds; claims and counter claims of corruption and bribery; Bank Liquidity, perceptions of disrespect and mistrust amongst functionaries of government; and issues of the alarming rate of sexual and gender-based violence in our nation.”
Although the Vice President did not say to what extent these allegations are affecting the Weah-led government, some political pundits are blaming the current economic woes on the barrage of allegations of malpractices and mistrust in government functionaries.
Some observers claim that such situation is draws back investors and subjecting Liberia to possible sanctions from its western allies, including the United States.
Ja’neh Impeachment, a ‘Critical Issue’
At the same time, the President of the Liberian Senate has termed the bill of impeachment against Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh as a “critical issue” and reminded the Liberian Senate of its historical importance.
Said Veep Howard-Taylor: “Also noteworthy is a Bill of Impeachment presented to this August body by the House of Representatives, for adjudication during this sitting. This is a critical issue which has attracted the attention of a broad spectrum of our society and the international community.”
She continue: “Let us therefore be reminded that the manner and form of its disposition by the Liberian Senate will forever be recorded in the annals of the Legislative – Judiciary and political history of our Nation. I trust that justice will be served in consonance with our organic laws. Let each of us be aware that it is our collective responsibility to provide closure to these issues which are of concern to our people.”
‘Significant’ Progress
Earlier, she highlighted the “significant progress recorded in the first year of our administration”, pointing out the areas of road connectivity, health care delivery, education and electricity.
According to her, these milestone achievements serve as a beacon of hope, signifying the commitment and determination of “our Government to improving the living standards of our people.”
Describing herself as an optimist who sees glass always half full; she noted that the government’s first year “obviously had engender its attendant birth pains, involving a period of natural adjustment and realignment before landing onto some degree of stability which I pray is now upon all;” adding “Our hopeful expectation is that, if there were any feathers ruffled, they have settled and tides in tempers have eased.”
Her comments come amid reports of strained relationship between her and President Weah.
In May 2018, Veep Taylor known for speaking out bluntly on issues that matter to her, was heard apologizing publicly to President Weah on a local private radio station for travelling abroad on numerous occasions without President’s consent.
There were also reports that the VP was summoned by President Pro Temp Albert Chie who attempted to suggest that the Vice President should not preside; something that sources said was rebuked by few Senators.
‘Herculean’ Responsibility
Recently, there have been reports that the hierarchy of the Congress for Democratic Change were behind the controversial expulsion of the VP from the National Patriotic Party (NPP).
Perhaps with that in mind, VP Taylor declared on Monday that, “Today, therefore prayerfully marks the commencement of a new cycle, which should find us wiser and more resilient to put our Nation first. As destiny ushers in new dynamics, let us submit that the responsibilities on our shoulders are herculean and demand the fullness of our attention and energy in seeking common ground and a recommitment to working for the peace, development, security and unity of our State.”
She added: “Let us ascertain that the effects of our work will insure the betterment of all within and without our borders; and elicit greater cooperation and collaboration amongst us; keeping in mind that we are part and parcel of one unit; hence we all rise or fall together.”
She then reminded the august body that the Senate records show that the Liberian Senate inherited 55 legislations which remained in Committee rooms, with an additional 62 introduced during the period under review.
Of these, she said 34 were passed and two were vetoed; thus, leaving the Senate with an initial work load of about 83 draft legislations to consider during this second Session.
Paramount amongst which she averred is a listing of draft bills submitted to the Liberian Senate by President Weah during the special sitting.
They include Financing Agreements; the Dual Citizenship amendment; Prohibition of Tenured Positions; a few Mineral Development Agreements; an amendment to the Revenue Code; and an amendment to the Public Financial Management Act, amongst others.
President Calls For Coordination
Meanwhile, President George Weah has called for increased collaboration and coordination amongst the three branches of government in order to successfully tackle challenges facing the country and to meet the expectations of the Liberian people.
Speaking Monday, January 14, during the opening of the second sitting of the 54th Legislature at the Capitol Building, the Liberian leader reminded the lawmakers that the government was elected by the people and is therefore under obligation to deliver on their expectations and meet their aspirations.
He said Government can only succeed in bettering the condition of the people and transforming the country into a modern nation when there is collective effort and cooperation amongst those entrusted with national authority.
“We must therefore work together to ensure that we deliver on the expectations of our people in all sectors of public service, particularly in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, peace, security and in agriculture,” the President asserted.
He commended the lawmakers for the level of work done during the first sitting but urged them to increase their efforts this year to pass on critical bills pending before them.
The President called on the lawmakers to strengthen their cardinal responsibilities—oversight, representation and lawmaking—in order to keep the national governance process on even course towards consolidating peace, security, development and prosperity.
President Weah reemphasized the pivotal role of the Legislature to the country’s democratic system; stressing that 2019 would be a very crucial year for his government in terms of consolidation of peace and taking Liberians out of poverty.
26 Bills, 8 Resolutions
For his part, House Speaker Bhofal Chambers stated that the Lower House recorded 121 sittings including 57 regular, 43 executive, six special and 15 extraordinary.
Chambers furthered that the House passed 26 bills and eight resolutions with nine bills originating from the House of Representatives, five bills from the Liberian Senate; 12 out of 17 bills originating from the Executive and passed into law with the eight legislative resolutions were acted on.
Meanwhile, some of these bills from the Executive including the Eton and EBOMAF loan agreements, although were meted with staunch criticisms from a segment of the public sailed through the Legislature.
The Eton and EBOMAF loan agreements which are in the tune of nearly US$1 billion, despite their concurrence by the Liberian Senate and subsequent approval by the President have yielded no results.