By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has directed its relevant committees to conduct a thorough review of two proposed bills seeking to establish a Labor Court and a Probate Court in Nimba County.
The legislative move aims to address the increasing labor disputes in the county’s booming mining and trade sectors, as well as the rising land-related conflicts tied to probate matters.
During its 11th-day sitting of the 1st Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature, the House Plenary assigned the Bills to the Committees on Judiciary, Internal Affairs, Ways, Means, and Finance, and Good Governance. These committees have been given a two-week deadline to review the proposed legislations and provide recommendations to Plenary.
The bills were introduced by Rep. Samuel G. Kogar, of Electoral District 5, Nimba County. The first bill, titled “An Act for the Establishment of a Labor Court in Nimba County,” seeks to create a specialized court to handle the growing number of labor-related disputes in the county.
According to Rep. Kogar, the establishment of a Labor Court is crucial, given Nimba’s significant workforce in the mining, trade, and industrial sectors.
“Nimba has a huge labor force due to its role as a major player in the mining and trade sectors. However, the single Circuit Court in the county is overburdened with criminal and civil cases, leaving little room for labor disputes to be resolved efficiently,” he said.
He said the creation of a Labor Court will not only ease the backlog of cases but also foster industrial harmony and improve employer-employee relations.
The second bill, titled “An Act to Create a Probate Court in Nimba County,” seeks to reduce the increasing number of land ownership disputes and other probate-related matters.
“Given Nimba’s rapid economic growth and significant contributions to Liberia’s national economy, land conflicts have become a pressing issue,” he expressed.
He noted that establishing a dedicated Probate Court would provide a structured legal mechanism to resolve such disputes, ensuring the protection of property rights and reducing the strain on the existing judicial system.
Rep. Kogar emphasized the economic importance of Nimba, highlighting that it is Liberia’s second-most populous county and contributes approximately 25% to the national budget.
“The county’s economic strength is deeply rooted in its rich natural resources, including timber, iron ore, gold, and diamonds. Additionally, its trade with neighboring Guinea and Ivory Coast plays a vital role in the country’s economy,”he noted.
The proposed courts are expected to enhance legal efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and promote economic stability in the county. The House’s Committees will now conduct their assessments and present their findings before the full Plenary for further legislative actions.
