By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Information, Broadcasting, and Judiciary to review President Joseph Boakai’s request to amend the law that establishes the National Tourism Authority Act.
President Boakai’s communication yesterday was sent to the committee with a mandate to report two weeks after the body’s reopening.
The communication read, “An act to amend Title 30, Public Authorities Law, Liberian Codes of Law revised to establish the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act (LNTA)” of which President Boakai noted that the objective and purpose is to detach “Tourism” from the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, to make Tourism, which seems to be almost dormant, an independent entity that will enhance and improve the tourism sector of the country.
He furthered that the tourism sector, when properly managed, will be an engine of investment, employment, growth, national development, international integration, and reconciliation.
President Boakai also requested the House to amend the Act and Title 12, Chapter 1, part 1, Executive Law, Liberian Codes of Law revised, by creating a new Chapter ‘E’ to be known as the Presidential Transition Act.
“As you may be aware, our nation is rapidly cultivating democratic values for healthy democratization, peaceful advancement, and enduring permanency,” President Boakai added.
He maintained that the transfer of political power from one democratically elected President to another 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.
However, President Boakai also requested the House to amend 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.
He said the motive of the 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 Ministry of Local Government shall be responsible for providing executive oversight to, mentoring, and guiding, all local governments, specifically in their management of balanced, socioeconomic development programs,” he said.
He added, “These include communal farming, research, boundary harmonization; empowerment of local communities, strengthening of the delivery of social services, cultural and traditional practices.”
“This Act, when enacted, shall apply to, and govern all transitional activities of the Government of Liberia, following the holding of General and Presidential elections culminating in the transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another,” the President’s communication added.
The Ministry will also encourage 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.
“Speaker, I trust that the Legislature will enact into law these Bills which form an integral part of our ARREST Agenda,” the President emphasized.
The communication for the establishment of an Act known as the Ministry of local government was forwarded to Judiciary and Internal Affairs.
