Pro-Temp Chie Foresees Challenges For Senators Seeking Re-election

By Alex Yomah
Ahead of the Special Senatorial Elections across the country, Senate Pro-tempore, Albert Chie has envisaged ‘challenges’ for his 15 colleagues that are going to seek re-elections October of this year.
Although Senator Chie was not definite in his speech to state what the indicators are propelling challenges besetting colleagues’ re-elections but said October will be ‘Judgment Day’ for Senators seeking re-elections.
He made the remarks during the official opening of the 3rd session of the 54th Legislature at the plenary session of the Liberian Senate, Monday, January 13, 2020 in which he said 2020 year will be a very challenging one for Senators.
“As you prepare for your final exams, we know you will spend a lot of time in your various constituencies, especially this dry season. We wish you well,” he said.
“For Senators of the second category, our work load will increase as our senior colleagues are away from the Capitol, we will seek your indulgence and understanding to fill the gaps in addition to your own assignments,” Senator Chie added.
He then called on the Senate’s leadership to work in making the relevant adjustments to the composition of the statuary committees and reemphasized the adjustments to the composition of requisite Statutory Committee because the next two weeks, President George Manneh Weah will present his legislative agenda to the legislature.
According to him, as the legislature returns, it’s in readiness to deal with legislative instruments from the Executive Branch.
Pro-tempore Chie challenged all of his colleagues to draft legislation of national dimensions; for consideration of the legislature and eventually the Executive Branch.
“During this session we are expected to complete action on the following instruments which are in committee rooms: letter from the President seeking the advice of the Senate on the completion of the report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; the leadership of the Senate has been working on this document during the few months of the recess and will shortly submit a report to plenary action,” he asserted.
Among legislations expected include; Freedom of peaceful assembly as it relates to demonstrate, protest, petition the government as well as the concomitant freedom of movement of citizens; election and tenure of Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro-tempore of the Senate and other officers; printing of currency which has become very political with all citizens becoming economic and financial experts overnight; the Code of Conduct; Tenure in the Executive Branch of government, Right of the Legislature to adjust key dates indicated in the Constitution and amongst others.