The plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated the Ministry of Justice to investigate complaints made by the Minister of Public Works, Ruth Coker-Collins, that several contractors of primary road corridors have failed in the implementation of the contracts despite receiving payments from the Ministry of Finance.
The Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Prof. Albert T. Chie, making remarks at the close of the Special Session of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 disclosed that the Senate has received briefing from Minister Collins on the progress on road rehabilitation of the primary corridors leading to the southeast and other places around the country, which has become a national emergency.
According to him, the Senate noted that the rehabilitation process is very slow and the roads are still very deplorable, but Minister Collins committed to double up and deploy more manpower and logistics on the corridors.
Pro-Temp Chie was providing a synopsis of the crucial agenda items approved by the Senate plenary during the Special Session.
In his rundown, Prof. Chie revealed that the Senate has ratified the amended and restated mineral development agreement between the Republic of Liberia and the Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) to continue to develop gold resources in western Liberia, noting that the amendment contains improved revenue and benefits to the government and people of the host communities.
He also revealed the confirmation of the seven nominated commissioners of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (NEC), but with a Senate plenary’s mandate not to communicate the results to the Executive until all financial obligations for the unexpired portion of the tenure of the former commissioners who were not maintained on the new Board of Commissioners are settled by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Prof. Chie disclosed that the revised Public Health Law was discussed informally by the Senate and the debate will continue upon their return in the last quarter of 2023.
He said the Board of Commissioners of the National Elections Commission (NEC) informed the Senate that they are ready to conduct a transparent and impartial election in October, and that the government has provided adequate funding for the process and deployment of personnel and logistics will be done on time.
The Grand Kru Senator noted that the Senate also discussed the issue of security, and mandated investigation of the reported breach of information dissemination protocol at the Roberts International Airport (RIA), and deliberated on other issues of national interest.
By request of President George Manneh Weah, on August 22, 2023 the Liberian Senate convened a special session to consider time-bound matters of national interest, in line with Article 32(b) of the 1986 Constitution.