Monrovia – The President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence has mandated the review of all agreements signed between the LPRC and private companies operating in the country.
By Obediah Johnson
Pro Tempore Lawrence observed that many of the agreements between the LPRC and various companies (which she did not name) have been questioned by the Senate.
This, she added, led to the discovery of unfair pricing of petroleum products on the Liberian market, leading to recommendations and subsequent actions by the government, through President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
She made these assertions during the regular session in the Chambers of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
Pro Tempore Lawrence stressed that the review process would verify the legitimacy of those agreements the LPRC signed with these companies.
She further called for a follow up on other recommendations, including the unbundling of the LPRC, a matter raised by Grand Kru County Senator Albert Chie and the creation of an act to govern the entity during the second quarter.
On LACE
Pro Tempore Lawrence recalled that the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) failed to give proper account of over US$800,000 during public hearing before the Senate during the last quarter.
The money was given the agency to supervise legislative projects in the counties.
According to her, the Senate would request the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to audit the LACE.
“On Work Permit, I hereby mandate the Labour Committee to follow up on concerns raised regarding the issuance of Work Permit versus job opportunities for qualified Liberians. The Committee is given one week, beginning today, to report to Plenary. The report should include statistics on all jobs created or lost in the Liberian labor market,” Pro Tempore Lawrence stated.
She mandated the reappearance of the Joint Committee on Drugs before the Senate Plenary to discuss the implementation of the plan presented in the absence of the August Body
She charged the Committee on Defense and Security to call a hearing with the joint security to present a plan on the effective functioning of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
The Pro Tempore further mandated the Joint Committee on Internal Affairs, Ways, Means, and Finance to also ensure that all counties have operational budget lines with the counties’ names in the internal affairs budget and the review of the Local Government Act to consider qualifications for members of the County Councils.
Reforms/Achievements
Pro Tempore Lawrence pointed out that the Senate is making progress in strengthening the human capital governance of the Senate.
She disclosed that the body has hired the services of a seasoned Human Resource Consultant with extensive experience across both public and private sectors.
Since added that the Consultant has drafted a comprehensive Senate Employee Handbook, covering vital areas including recruitment and selection, performance management, attendance and leave, dress code, code of ethics and conduct, amongst others.
Pro Tempore Lawrence disclosed that a new compensation strategy is under development, one that balances fairness, competitiveness, and fiscal responsibility.
She mentioned that this would feature structured pay scales, performance-based incentives, legal compliance and internal equity.
“The strategy is rooted in comparative data from peer legislatures and aims to align with our HR budget while reinforcing a culture of merit and transparency.”
Financial Reform
She stated that the Senate Financial Advisor is working closely with the Finance Department to complete the 2024 Annual Financial Report, a milestone in promoting transparency.
She maintained that several draft financial policies and procedure manuals have been completed and are now pending review and approval.
Pro Tempore Lawrence noted that these policies fixed asset management, fuel management and distribution, funds disbursement, petty cash management, amongst others.
She said these policies are foundational to building strong financial discipline and will guide expenditure, accountability, and procurement processes at the Senate.
“We have also made exceptional progress in upgrading the Senate’s information and communication infrastructure. We successfully integrated Starlink Internet into our network, making reliable Wi-Fi access available within the Senate. This alone has dramatically improved internal communication and access to digital tools.”
Pro Tempore Lawrence further claimed that the Senate performed excellently in its oversight role, in keeping with its reform agenda to be robust in its oversight duties.
She made specific reference to the work permit procedures and requirements, and unfair pricing structures relating to the handling of petroleum products as key actions taken by the Liberian Senate.
She further named the request for plans to handle drug abuse from the joint committee set up by the president and complaints on misappropriation of social and county development funds and misuse of authorities in some counties as other interventions.
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