CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – The House of Representatives has passed two landmark bills: one establishing the Liberia National Tourism Authority and another ratifying the Presidential Transition Act.
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, members of the House voted to pass both bills and forwarded them to the Senate for concurrence.
The bill titled “An Act to Amend Title 30, Public Authorities Laws, Liberian Code of Law Revised, to Establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority” was passed following recommendations from the Joint Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture and Tourism, Judiciary, and Internal Affairs. The bill was developed after a series of public hearings with stakeholders and experts in the tourism sector.
Rep. Barnard Benson Jr. of Montserrado County District 17, who sponsored the bill, described its passage as a breakthrough for the tourism sector, highlighting its potential to create jobs, enhance local infrastructure, and generate income. Rep. Benson’s bill was synchronized with an Executive-proposed bill to strengthen the legislation.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Broadcasting, Culture, and Tourism, Rep. Benson emphasized that the “Liberia National Tourism Authority Act of 2024” is a crucial step in leveraging Liberia’s rich cultural and natural heritage to attract both local and international tourists. The proposed authority aims to drive economic growth, preserve cultural identity, and contribute to national development.
“The establishment of the Liberia National Tourism Authority will streamline efforts to promote Liberia as a tourist destination, encourage investments in tourism, regulate related activities, and ensure the sustainable management of tourism resources,” said Rep. Benson.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also passed the Presidential Transition Act. This bill, which seeks to amend the Executive Law, aims to establish a structured and transparent process for the transition of power from one administration to the next.
The Joint Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Judiciary, Good Governance, and the Executive Committee worked diligently to review the proposed bill, ensuring that it includes the necessary guidelines and procedures for a smooth transition of power. The bill creates a new Sub-Chapter “E” in the Executive Law, known as the ‘Presidential Transition Act’.
It is worth noting that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai submitted several key pieces of legislation to the 55th Legislature for enactment, in line with the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia and the ARREST Agenda of the Government. Among these was the Presidential Transition Bill, crafted by the Law Reform Commission of Liberia to provide a legal framework for the smooth transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another. The goal is to ensure continuity, uphold democratic principles and values, and incorporate best international practices during presidential transitions.
The Presidential Transition Bill is officially titled “An Act to Amend Title 12, Chapter 1, Part 1, Executive Law, Liberian Codes of Law Revised, by Creating a New Sub-Chapter ‘E’ To Be Known As the Presidential Transition Act.”
