President Weah Issues Proclamation for the 54th Legislature to Reconvene its Fourth Regular Session

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President Weah Issues Proclamation for the 54th Legislature to Reconvene its Fourth Regular Session

Monrovia: His Excellency Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, has issued a Proclamation for the 54^th Legislature to reconvene its Fourth Regular Session for a period of Two months, beginning October 18, 2021 to December 18, 2021.

The Fourth Regular Session of the 54^th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia adjourned Sine die on the 31^st day of August, 2021.

Article 32(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia provides that the President shall, on his own initiative or upon receipt of a certificate signed by at least one fourth of the total membership of each House, and by Proclamation, extend a regular session of the Legislature beyond the date for adjournment or call a Special or Extraordinary Session of that Body to discuss or act upon matters of national emergency and concern.

According to a Foreign Ministry Release, the Proclamation states that the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia further requires that when the extension or call is at the request of the Legislature, a Proclamation shall be issued not later than forty-eight hours after the receipt of the certificate by the President.

The Amendment and Restatement of the Public Financial Management Act, was approved October 30, 2019, changing the fiscal year from July to June of the following year to a calendar year of January to December of the same year.

In accordance with the aforementioned of Article 32(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, a Certificate to reconvene was signed on October 12, 2021 by at least one-fourth of the total membership of each house to reconvene the Fourth Regular Session of the 54^th Legislature from October 18, 2021 to December 18, 2021, to deliberate and act upon the National Budget of the 2022 and other matters of national interest.

The Proclamation further states that this change in calendar year has given the executive two (2) months to submit the National Budget to the Legislature prior to its effective date, which change has given rise to a need for the Legislature to reconvene.