IPNews-Monrovia, Liberia – 30 January 2018: President George Manneh Weah has delivered his maiden state of the Nation Address and with a call to move away from the passed of overly protecting the Constitution of Liberia on provision that prohibits duly citizenship and granting of citizenship to non-Negro persons.
President Weah stated that the ideal to preventing citizenship only to black people as envisaged by the framers of the 1847 constitution in consideration of the time may have had every reason and justification to include these restrictions but there was a need to relook and rethink on the provision to meet current days reality of the 21st century.
“The great object of forming these Colonies, was to provide a home for the dispersed and oppressed children of Africa, and to regenerate and enlighten this benighted continent, none but persons of color shall be admitted to citizenship in this Republic.” President Weah noted.
President Weah also promised to reduce his salary by 25 per cent in light of the prevailing economic situation facing the Country.
The Liberian leader further paid tribute to outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and said he was privileged and honored by her presence to grace the occasion commemorating the 54th state of the Nation address to the 54th National Legislature .
President Weah: “Madam, welcome. Your presence here today shows how far we have come as people,”
President Weah spoke on yesterday at the joint Chambers of the National Legislature when he addressed the 54th National Legislature during a Joint Session at the Capitol in Monrovia.
He said he was responding in keeping with the mandate of Article 58 of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which places a duty on the President of the Republic, on the 4thMonday of January every year, to present the administration’s legislative program for the ensuing session of this Honorable Legislature, and to report to the Liberian people, through you, their duly elected representatives, in Joint Assembly, on the State of the Republic.
His Excellency recalled the historic and peaceful transition from an incumbent administration to a newly elected government; the first such event in our history for more than 70 years.
“Liberians have received commendations and congratulations from all over the world for the civility and maturity demonstrated throughout this long process, which eventually ended in the passing of the baton from one generation of leadership to a younger generation,” President Wesah asserted.
President Weah cautioned members of the National Legislature and Cabinet members of the enormous task ahead as so much is expected of them.
“What is expected of us, who have been elected by our people to govern them? What is really expected of those of us who have been entrusted with the responsibility to lead them? The answer is to be found in Chapter 2 of our Constitution, from which I shall now read selected articles extensively and verbatim:”
President also cautioned that every provision provided for in chapter II – Article 4 the Liberian constitution will be full ahead to.
“The principles contained in this Chapter II-Article 4 of the Liberian Constitution shall be the fundamental in the governance of the Republic and it shall serve as guidelines in the formulation of legislative, executive and administrative directives, policy-making and their execution.”
Additionally, the president reminded members of the National Legislature of Article 5, which call for strengthening the national integration and unity of the people of Liberia, regardless of ethnic, regional or other differences, into one body politic; and the Legislature shall enact laws promoting national unification, and the encouragement of all citizens to participate in government; b) preserve, protect and promote positive Liberian culture, ensuring that traditional values which are compatible with public policy and national progress are adopted and developed, as an integral part of the growing needs of the Liberian society; c) take steps, by appropriate legislation and executive orders, to eliminate sectionalism and tribalism, and such abuses of power as the misuse of government resources, nepotism and all other corrupt practices, as critical to shaping democratic processes of Liberia.
The Liberian leader continued– Article 6 – “The Republic shall, because of the vital role assigned to the individual citizen under this Constitution for the social, economic and political wellbeing of Liberia, provide equal access to educational opportunities and facilities for all citizens to the extent of available resources. Emphasis shall be placed on the mass education of the Liberian people and the elimination of illiteracy.”
He further empathized on “Article 7 – which states that the Republic shall, consistent with the principles of individual freedom and social justice enshrined in this Constitution, manage the national economy and the natural resources of Liberia in such manner as shall ensure the maximum feasible participation of Liberian citizens under conditions of equality, so as to advance the general welfare of the Liberian people and the economic development of Liberia.”
Speaking further, President George M. Weah, highlighted Article 8, 9 & 10 of the Liberian Constitution which states that “The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions, and towards promoting safety, health and welfare facilities in employment.”
Article 9: “The Republic shall encourage the promotion of bilateral and regional cooperation between and among Liberia and other nations, and the formation and maintenance of regional organizations aimed at the cultural, social, political and economic development of the peoples of Africa and other nations of the world.”
Article 10: “The Republic shall ensure the publication and dissemination of this Constitution throughout the Republic, and the teaching of its principles and provisions in all institutions of learning in Liberia.”
President Weah dealt in-depth with two essential economic pillars with emphasis on jobs and promised to introduce new legislations and policies, which will be intended to achieve sustainable economic growth, develop and expand agriculture, and address our very large infrastructure deficit, with particular emphasis on road construction and the provision of affordable and adequate electricity for all our people.
The Liberian Leader stated further that for the purpose of sustaining the peace – his government shall examine ways to improve the judiciary system to ensure that the basic rights of all Liberians are protected. To that end, we will propose legislation that will be intended to create new processes and avenues to ensure that all our people are fully reconciled.
For Security and National Defense: President Weah cautioned members of the National Legislature to make full and adequate budgetary appropriation to meet the growing needs of the security apparatus.
“ We will rely on your budgetary support to enable us to continue to improve the professional and operational development of the Armed Forces of Liberia, and other security agencies, in order to better prepare them to participate in the fight against global terrorism. In this regard, we will specially focus on the housing constraints faced by our security personnel.”
