What appeared to be the reopening of the 54th Legislature yesterday seemed more of confusion as the House of Representatives opened its chambers in executive.
According to our reporter, it might occur as business as usual because again few members of the Legislature arrived at midday and it took them very long to organize themselves for the opening of the second quarter which lasted hours unprecedentedly behind closed doors.
As usual, what was discussed in the executive meeting was not revealed to the public, as the members of the Representatives embarked into their waiting vehicles leaving legislative observers to ponder over whether or not, the gathering should be termed as re-opening or an ordinary legislative meeting.
However, the House of Representatives announced that it would have reopened for the second quarter on Friday, May 12, 2023.
According to them, the reopening is in line with the new amendment of Section 1 of an Act Fixing Day for the Annual Adjournment of the Legislature of the Republic of Liberia and to establish in lieu thereof An Act Setting the Calendar of Adjournment for the Legislature.
According to the Act, there will be three adjournments and recess periods, also known as constituency break. “The first constituency visit/break shall commence on the third Friday of March of each year and end on the second Friday of May of each year; the second constituency break shall commence on the third Friday of July of each year and end on the third Friday of October of each year.”
While the third constituency visit shall commence on the second Friday of December of each year and end on Friday immediately preceding the second working Monday of January of each year to satisfy the new Public Financial Management (PFM) Law which sets the budget year from January 1 to December 30; replacing July 1 to June 30.
Meanwhile, during this second quarter, the House of Representatives will continue to focus on its mandate of representing the interests of the Liberian people and providing effective oversight of the Executive Branch of Government.
This will be achieved through robust legislative debates, deliberations, and the passage of laws that promote national development and enhance the welfare of the people.
