IPNEWS: Members of the 54th Legislature are expected to resume active duties on Monday, January 10, 2022, for its 5th session in accordance with the Constitution of Liberia, which mandates the resumption of Legislative activities on the second working Monday of each year.
The opening program of the Legislature is consistent with Chapter 5, Article 32 (a) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia which provides that the Legislature shall assemble in regular session once a year on the second working Monday in January.
The opening ceremony according to the protocol will be graced by the Chief Executive H.E Dr. George M. Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia, Officials of Government and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
According to a joint Press Release from the House of Representatives and Senate Press and Public Affairs Departments, the ceremony which will begin at 10 in the morning, will witness a grand march by members of both Houses of the Legislature from the Executive Manson side to the Rotunda.
The colorful program will also witness the hosting of the Flags of the Country and the Fifteen (15) Counties by the Sargent At-Arms of the Legislature.
Amidst the resumption of Legislative duties, highly placed sources within the corridors of the Legislature has hinted IPNEWS, that members of both houses are set to swiftly pass the 2022/2023 national budget.
It may be recalled, ahead of the Christmas celebrations, the Legislature adjourned its Special Session without passing the 2022/2023 national budget.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate adjourned on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 to resume the next regular session of the 54th Legislature in January.
The Executive Mansion earlier submitted a US$785.5 million draft budget to the lawmakers for passage.
Speaking at the closure of the House Session, House Speaker, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, stated that august body conducted a total of (33) Thirty Three Sessions; including (18) Eighteen, (12) Twelve Executive/Secret and (3) Three appearances of Ministers or Directors.
Giving a statistical report Tuesday, December 21, 2021 during its 20th Day Sitting of the Special Session of the Honorable House of Representatives of the 54th National Legislature, Speaker Bhofal Chambers disclosed that a total of (39) Thirty-Nine Bills were introduced.
Speaker Chambers said of the (39) Thirty-Nine Bills, (23) Twenty-Three were passed by the members of that august body during the period under review.
The House Speaker further clarified that (15) Fifteen of the bills passed emanated from the Executive Branch of the Liberian Government, (7) Seven from the House of Representatives and a Joint Resolutions also from the House.
Dr. Chambers further revealed that a total of (16) Sixteen Bills are currently in committee room; adding that (5) Five stems from the House, (7) Seven from the Executive, (2) Two from the Liberian Senate; including a petition and a communication from President George Weah for legislative consideration.
During the closure, House Speaker Chambers made serval appointments on various committees. Newly elected Nimba County District # 1 Representative, Samuel Brown was appointed member of the Committees on Youth and Sports, Public Utilities, Human and Civil Rights.
Another incoming Representative, Finda Gborie-Lassana of Bomi County District #1 Representative was also appointed on the Committees on Transport, Modernization and Resettlement.
Grand Gedeh County District # 1 Representative Madison Gwion Sr, was additionally appointed on the Committees on Hydrocarbon, National Security and Modernization respectively.
