Liberia: Pres Weah Begs for 2-Week Extension to Submit FY-2024 Budget, Critical Bills
President George Manneh Weah
…. As Senate mourns Grand Gedeans, Condemns barbaric attacks on private and public homes
Citing Article 32b of the Constitution, President George Weah has written the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, requesting an extension of the 6th Session of the 54th Legislature by ten working days, beginning Monday, December 11, 2023, to December 22, 2023.
The outgoing president said in a communication that the rationale for the extension is premised on critical national concerns, such as submission of the 2024 National budget and actions on several critical bills pending before the Legislature.
President Weah reminded the lawmakers that the just ended Presidential and Legislative elections impacted the preparation of the budget; “additionally, there are several bills of national interest that are still pending before the National Legislature."
The request from the President to the Legislature comes ahead of the final and last adjournment of the 6th Session of the 54th Legislature on the second working Friday in December, which is the 8th this year.
“In accordance with Article 32(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, I am pleased to kindly request extension of the Sixth Session of the 54th Legislature by ten (10) working days beginning Monday, December 11, 2023 and ending Friday, December 22, 2023,” President Weah said.
The President argued that the just ended presidential and Legislative Elections impacted the preparation of the budget and indicated that there are also bills of national interest still pending before the Legislature, including key financing agreements, that require deliberation and action before the adjournment of the 54th Legislature.
“We remain conscious and hopeful that this extension will avail time to the National Legislature to approve the National Budget and act upon other bills in the interest of our nation before the start of the next fiscal year,” the President wrote.
“We therefore urge your consideration for the extension of the 54th Legislature for reasons mentioned supra.”
Following a motion proffered by Margibi County District #2 Ivar K. Jones, it was seconded, and members of the House of Representatives agreed. The Presiding Officer, Deputy Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, mandated Chief Clerk Mildred Sayon to draft a resolution for signing to effectuate the extraordinary sitting.
In another development, the Liberian Senate yesterday condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the “barbaric attacks" on private and public properties in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, by reported hoodlums resorting to arson attacks on one house and vandalizing another belonging to Grand Gedeh County Senator Zoe Emmanuel Pennue and the offices of the county's Traditional Council.
The Senate, speaking through its President Pro-Temporary Albert Chie, also expressed deep shock upon hearing of the passing of newly elected Grand Gedeh District #1 Representative, Erol Madison Gwion, which occurred on December 5, 2023.
Reports suggest that the death news became the pretext for an angry mob to carry out the unlawful acts.
Pro-tempore Chie said while the Senate mourns with the bereaved family and the people of Grand Gedeh County for the loss of their lawmaker, it believes that the violent actions on the part of some people must be condemned by all peace-loving Liberians as they undermine the peace and security of the state, especially when the country is going through its smooth democratic transition following peaceful and transparent elections.
Meanwhile, commiserating with their colleague Senator Pennue and the Traditional Council for the terrible incident, the Liberian Senate is calling on law enforcement Agencies to conduct a speedy investigation and bring the perpetrators to book.
The late Representative, Erol Madison Gwion, succeeded former Grand Gedeh County Representative Zoe Emmanuel Pennue during the 2020 Legislative by-election Elections and was recently re-elected, outpacing Pennue’s preferred candidate for the district seat in the just ended October 10, 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections.