
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – Parliaments, the world over play a critical role in the democratization of States and their people. This means, there is always a compelling need for legislators to be connected to their people at most, if not at all times.
However, this is not as easy as stated or written. Efforts by lawmakers in countries like Liberia in which the poverty rate is extremely high, to stay and remain connected, are confronted with a plethora of challenges that blur the chances of sustained legislative-constituents connectivity.
Sadly, this avalanche of challenges trigger disconnects between the elected and the electorates. This disconnect eventually leads to a low turnover rate. It has been observed that with the exception of Montserrado County which electorates largely vote for issues-based contestants, the rest of the counties largely opt for “tangible development-prone” contestants.
Of the 60 seats declared vacant in the Senate, 49 sitting senators (82%) did not return to the Senate, while a mere 11 (18%) returned. Some pundits place this dismal turnover rate squarely to the level of disconnect between legislators and their constituents. It is predicated upon this and other reasons the Liberian Senate under the 55th Legislature is endeavoring to produce a compelling roadmap agenda. Hence, a four-day retreat has been decided.
Members of the Liberian Senate 55th Legislature will on Thursday June 5, 2024, begin a four-day retreat in Buchana, Grand Bassa County. The retreat will allow members of the senate to have a sober reflection of the Senate.
During the three days, Senators will discuss the way forward for the Senate and how to address some of the challenges and improve the workings of the senate for the benefits of the general public and the Liberian people.
Key among many issues, the Senate is expected to review and amend their rules, review their financial management system and policies, review the Senate’s reform agenda, security and access control, National compliance policy as well as decentralization and modernization.
The President Pro tempore of the Liberian Senate Madam Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, has said on many occasions that her ardent goal is to see a reformed Senate that truly reflects the interests of the country and its citizens.
In her efforts to ensure transparency and accountability, she ordered the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a comprehensive review of the senate’s financial system, establish a robust operating system, including financial and administrative measures.
“This framework will enable regular audits and enhance our oversight responsibilities. Since 2014, I have advocated for good governance and adequate oversight of government expenditures, emphasizing the national budget as a tool for reform and transformation.
“In 2016, I proposed that all Ministries, Agencies & Commissions (MACs) submit their annual budgets with programs to ensure transparency and better oversight. Despite challenges in logistics, human capacity, and technology, I remain committed to achieving our administration’s vision through this agenda roadmap.”
The retreat backgrounds
Speaking of voters’ quest for tangible development as criteria to elect their leaders, and owing to the fact that a single lawmaker may not be financially balanced enough to singlehandedly address the development priorities of a given county or district, strategies must be evolved.
As such, a joint Senate-House collaboration on the revitalization of the county development fund is required; thus, carving an effective decision-making mechanism – decisions that will be geared toward positively impacting the lives and wellbeing of the electorates. This effective decision-making goal must decisively focus on increasing the revenue envelope of the nation.
Increment in revenue would lead to: effective functioning of hospitals and other medical centers, enhance the educational sector, cultivate a self-feeding agriculture effectiveness, sufficient presence of security personnel across the country, salary increment for teachers, doctors, health workers, etc., vastly improved water and sanitation services, youth development, amongst others. To achieve all this, the 55th Legislature, yea the Liberian Senate, will have to make program-based budgeting a priority for counties.
The General Auditing Agency (GAC) will do a financial reform management report. Vital also for discussion at the retreat would be the county development plan and revenue enhancement. As well is the topical issue of Value Added Tax (VAT) for spotlight.
Compliance will be critically dissected during the deliberations. Also, to be critically analyzed is the resource extraction model – how the country’s portion of resource extraction is evolved and how it is regulated. To conclude on the deliberation aspect of the retreat will be a presentation to review committees and institutions under each committee for oversight, for checkmating potential interferences and usurpations.
A working document will be prepared for the purpose of references or guidance as the Senate continues its work thereafter. Senators and other participants are expected to arrive in Buchanan City on Thursday June 6 and depart Sunday June 9. The retreat will be held under the administrative watch of Pro temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.