-Seeks enactment of several legislative instruments
By Jerromie S. Walters
The House of Representatives’ Committees on Information Broadcasting, and Judiciary [Among others] have been tasked to examine a communication from President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, seeking to establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority and other crucial enactments pivotal to his (Boakai’s) ARREST Agenda.
In his communication read during the House’s 10th day sitting of the Extraordinary Session of the 1st session of the 55th National Legislature Tuesday, April 30, 2024, President Boakai rallied the House to ensure theenactment of three separate legislative instruments, including AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 30, PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, LIBERIAN CODES OFLAW REVISED TO ESTABLISH THE LIBERIA NATIONAL TOURISM AUTHORITY ACT (LNTA).
According to the President, the instrument endeavors to detach “Tourism” from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, to make it (Tourism) an independent entity.
Boakai: “The objective and purpose of this Act is to detach”Tourism” from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, to make Tourism, that seems to be almost dormant, an independent entity that will enhance and improve the tourism sector of the Country. The Tourism Sector when properly managed, will be an engine of investment, employment, growth, national development, international integration and reconciliation.”
Following this, the House of Representatives (HoR) Committees on Information Broadcasting, and Judiciaryhave been tasked to examine the President’s request and report two weeks after opening. Last Tuesday, Representative Bernard Blue Benson Jr. of MontserradoCounty District #17 submitted a proposal to the House of Representatives, seeking to establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority. Like President Boakai’s request, Representative Benson’s proposal aims to replace the existing Departments of Tourism and Cultural Affairs while amending the Public Authorities Law, Title 30 of the Liberian Code of Laws Revised.
Representative Benson highlighted that the establishment of the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act of 2024 is a pivotal step towards harnessing Liberia’s rich cultural and natural heritage to attract visitors from both domestic and international spheres. The envisioned authority is poised to stimulate economic growth, preserve cultural identity, and foster national development.
“The creation of the Liberia National Tourism Authority is aimed at centralizing efforts to enhance Liberia’s image as a tourist destination, facilitate investment in the tourism sector, regulate tourism-related activities, and ensure the sustainable management of tourism resources,” Representative Benson stated.
Moreover, the proposed Act outlines the structure, functions, powers, and financial provisions of the Authority, along with transitional arrangements for existing employees and the repeal of inconsistent laws. Representative Benson emphasized that the overarching goal of the Act is to promote the growth and sustainability of Liberia’s tourism industry, benefiting the economy, society, and environment alike.
In addition to his LNTA’s proposal, the House of Representatives (HoR) Committees on Executive,Judiciary and Elections & Inauguration are expected to look into the President’s request for enactment, AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 12, CHAPTER 1, PART 1, EXECUTIVE LAW, LIBERIAN CODES OF LAW REVISED BY CREATING A NEW SUB-CHAPTER “E” TO BE KNOWN-AS PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION ACT.
He noted in his communication to plenary, “Honorable Speaker, you may be aware that our nation is rapidly cultivating democratic values for healthy democratization, peaceful advancement, and enduring permanency. The transfer of political power from one democratically elected President to another democratically elected President in our recent history is a testament to this significant democratic progress. However, the non-existence of a legal mechanism/protocol for the organization and smooth transition has been a national issue sometimes creating inefficacy in the process. This Act, when enacted, shall apply to, and govern all transitional activities of the Government of Liberia following the holding of Generaland Presidential elections culminating into the transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another.” The Committees are expected to report on the President’s communication one week upon the House’sreturn.
Meanwhile, then House’s Committees on Judiciary and Internal Affairs has also been mandated to review President Boakai’s request for enactment AN ACT TO REPEAL CHAPTER 25, MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, TITLE 12 EXECUTIVE LAW OF 1972, LIBERIAN CODES OF LAW REVISED, TO ESTABLISH IN ITS STEAD, A NEW CHAPTER 25 TO BE KNOWN AS THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
In his communication to plenary, he noted that the Objective of this Act is to amend the Act establishing the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and to create in its stead the Ministry of Local Government consistent with the Local Government Act of 2018. When enacted, the President informed the legislative body that the Ministry of Local Government shall be responsible for providing executive oversight to, mentor and guide, all local governments, specifically in their management of balanced, socio-economic development programs.
“These include communal farming, research, boundary harmonization; empowerment of local communities, strengthening of the delivery of social services, cultural and traditional practices. The Ministry will also enhance the promotion of peace and reconciliation and delivery of good governance, including popular participation, inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and access to justice at local levels, consistent with the Local Government Act of 2018 and all laws, policies, strategies, and regulations relating to local governance and peacebuilding, President Joseph Boakai noted in his communication to plenary.
