Barely few days after voting to pardon three ministers and the director of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) for violating the PPCC law by awarding millions of dollars' worth of contracts for road rehabilitation without a competitive bidding process, members of the Liberian Senate are again raising alleged violations of...
Capitol Hill — Barely few days after voting to pardon three ministers and the director of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission for violating the PPCC law by awarding millions of dollars' worth of contracts for road rehabilitation without a competitive bidding process, members of the Liberia n Senate are again raising alleged violations of several laws passed granting tenures to heads of some corporations and agencies in the country.
But following an appeal from the Minister of Public Works, the lawmakers reneged to advance punitive measures to the Executive to penalize the public officials for disregarding the PPCC law. It can be recalled that an Act prohibiting the Tenure of Public Officials within the Executive Branch of Government was submitted to the 54th National Legislature by ex-President George Manneh Weah.
He said members of the Senate need to be very careful to avoid deliberately or knowingly suppressing good governance in the society. Senator Dillon emphasized that if lawmakers cannot define or protect laws passed by them, there should be no need for passing those laws. He said lawmakers should not be seen as"enablers" of the violation of the law, because they have the authority, in keeping with Article 89, to grant tenures to public officials.
"We are only standing for the rule of law; and our standing for the rule of law should not be discretionary and it should not be selective depending who's in power." Senator Bartekwa emphasized that until the laws establishing these institutions are repealed, the Senate cannot decide on the matter.Senator Emmanuel Nuquay of Margibi County observed that there is a tendency for the National Legislature to usually dance to the tune of the executive branch when there is a change in government.
Senator Simeon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount County stated:"It beats my imagination for us to sit here and see laws breached and the Senate seems to do nothing about it."He questioned the Senators 'oversight responsibilities towards working in the interest of the citizenry. "We should decide why we do not want tenure; not the executive. We are seated here to make laws on behalf of the country. If it is important that we uphold the tenure law, let's uphold it. I will not pass or undo tenure law because the executive wants us to undo it; there will always be new leadership that will come."There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.
"Given the entrenched nature of the presidency in Liberia, let's put a communication on the floor to see clearly that all the tenured positions that were created by us, except the ones that are in the constitution, let's remove tenures from all."
News Politics Economy Trade Business Sports Current Events Travel Liberia West Africa Governance
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria: Senate Urges Govt to Continue Payment of N35,0000 Wage AwardSenate has urged the Federal Government to continue the payment of N35,000 wage award to workers, following the yet to be concluded negotiations on minimum wage.
Read more »
Liberia: Over 700 Liberian Returnees Arrived From GhanaAbout 707 Liberian refugees from Ghana have entered the country through the Luogatuo Border in Nimba County.
Read more »
Liberian Govt Criticized Over Deal For Hundreds of ExcavatorsThe Liberian government has come under criticism following an announcement of a plan to bring into the country 285 pieces of excavator machines from China. Those critical of the deal, amongst them prominent senators, say there's a lack of tranparency about the nature of the agreement and what the country has been committed to.
Read more »
Liberia: Excitement and Hope As First Batch of Liberian Refugees Arrive Home From GhanaThe first batch of approximately 750 Liberian refugees from the Buduburam Refugees Camp in Ghana Friday arrived in the country via the Loguatuo border.
Read more »
Liberia: UK Inaugurates Its First Liberian MayorLiberian-born Alpha Bird Collins has been recently inaugurated as Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood in the United Kingdom, becoming the first Liberian to hold this office there.
Read more »
Cosatu urges PIC, other Anglo shareholders to reject BHP bidCosatu urges PIC, other Anglo shareholders to reject BHP bid
Read more »