Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberian Legislature has as soon as once more come beneath sharp criticism from residents and civil society teams for what many describe as “consuming free cash” whereas abnormal Liberians battle with worsening financial situations.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, [email protected], and Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Observers say the Legislature is quickly constructing a repute as one of many least productive establishments in authorities. Regardless of receiving large budgetary allocations, lawmakers are accused of spending extra time on recesses, breaks, and political ceremonies than on precise legislative duties.
At the moment, legislators are on one other prolonged break—stretching from July via October—whereas solely a handful of committees stay partially lively. Critics argue that these fixed interruptions serve the private consolation of lawmakers reasonably than the curiosity of the individuals.
Beneath Rule 2, Part 2.1, common classes on the Home of Representatives are already restricted, held solely on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and a couple of:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for committee work, whereas Fridays are put aside for constituency enterprise.
“This Legislature is consuming free cash. They accumulate large salaries, advantages, and allowances each month, however if you verify their output, it’s nothing in comparison with what the nation is going through. The financial system is collapsing, faculties are struggling, well being facilities are with out medication, but lawmakers are on infinite breaks,” lamented Sarah Wleh, a Liberian businesswoman.
Information present that for the reason that begin of the yr, the Legislature has taken a number of recesses, citing county consultations and political engagements. Nevertheless, critics argue that many of those breaks are used for personal actions and political maneuvering reasonably than real constituency work.
“What we’re seeing is legalized exploitation. The Legislature is the one office in Liberia the place workers can repeatedly abandon obligation, go on infinite recesses, but nonetheless obtain fats paychecks with out accountability. That’s why residents say they’re consuming free cash,” political analyst Martin Kollie wrote lately on his social media web page.
The Regulation Behind the Breaks
Whereas public outrage continues over lawmakers’ prolonged breaks, the present fifty fifth Legislature didn’t cross the regulation that granted them this privilege.
In 2022, the 54th Legislature quietly enacted “An Act to Repeal an Act to Amend Part 1 of an Act Fixing Day for the Annual Adjournment of the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, and to Set up in Lieu Thereof an Act Setting the Calendar of Adjournment for the Legislature.”
This regulation permits the Legislature three adjournments every year, also referred to as “constituency breaks.” In accordance with the act:
- The first break runs from the third Friday in March to the second Friday in Could.
- The second break spans from the third Friday in July to the third Friday in October.
- The third break begins the second Friday in December and ends the Friday previous the second working Monday in January—synchronized with the Public Monetary Administration (PFM) Regulation that modified Liberia’s finances yr from July–June to January–December.
Civil Society Outcry
The passage of the 2022 regulation sparked rapid condemnation from civil society organizations, together with NAYMOTE Companions for Democratic Improvement and the Institute for Analysis and Democratic Improvement (IREDD).
They argued that the brand new schedule—which successfully reduces lawmakers’ working yr to 6 months—violates the Structure.
Article 32(a) of the Liberian Structure states: “The Legislature shall assemble in common session every year on the second working Monday in January.”
“Whereas lawmakers are paid to work for 12 months, with these new modifications they may solely work for six months yearly. Sadly, this undermines governance. We subsequently name for reconsideration of those modifications,” stated IREDD Govt Director Matthias M. Yeanay, flanked by NAYMOTE Govt Director Eddie Jarwolo, in a joint assertion on the time.
The teams additional careworn: “The Legislature can’t do what the Structure doesn’t mandate with no referendum. But lawmakers proceed to bend guidelines based mostly on self-interest—altering electoral dates, suspending the nationwide census, and exhibiting an absence of accountability to the Liberian individuals. Poor management has engulfed the Legislature, making it a logo of dangerous governance.”
The Means Ahead
Present lawmakers argue that they inherited the controversial regulation from the 54th Legislature. Nevertheless, critics insist that if they’re severe about reform, they have to exhibit it by repealing legal guidelines that aren’t within the public curiosity—starting with the very act that grants them extended recesses on the expense of taxpayers.
