Commending the House of Representatives for Acting on Port Autonomy; Pro Tempore Karnga Lawrence Welcomes HOR Concurrence Votes

Commending the House of Representatives for Acting on Port Autonomy; Pro Tempore Karnga Lawrence Welcomes HOR Concurrence Votes

Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has commended the House of Representatives for concurring with the House of Senate on the passage of a bill giving autonomy to the Sea port of Buchanan and other sea ports around the country.

This decision by the Legislature set up what is referred to as an Independent Seaport and Inland Ports Regulatory Authority.

The legislation, heralded as a transformative step toward improving the country’s port operations, seeks to decentralize the management of Liberia’s seaports, promote sustainable development, and introduce enhanced oversight mechanisms.

This ground breaking decision initiated by the 55th Senate led by Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, has far reaching benefits for the operations of ports in the country. The move sets the stage for ports in Liberia to transition into full county-based operations.

When approved by the President amongst many things seeks to;
• Expand port capacity through critical projects like dredging,
• Enhance port operations in Sinoe, Maryland, and Grand Bassa Counties,
• Increase local revenue and employment opportunities, etc.

Passage of the bill is a manifestation of a Senate headed by Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence mission to ensure a reformed system of government and assist the National government expand revenue generation for national growth.

This and many thoughts were embedded in a retreat agenda that took place in Buchanan in 2024. At the retreat, they discussed ways forward for the Senate and how to address some of the challenges and improve the workings of the senate for the benefits of the general public and the Liberian people.

The Senate is also reviewed and amended their rules, reviewed their financial management system and policies, reviewed the Senate’s reform agenda, security and access control, national compliance policy as well as decentralization and modernization.

It was at this retreat that President Pro tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence announced that her main goal was to see a reformed Senate that truly reflects the interests of the country and its citizens.

As a beginning of her quest to ensure transparency and accountability, she ordered the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a comprehensive review of the senate’s financial system, establish a robust operating system, including financial and administrative measures.