By: George Cooper
Monrovia, January 12, 2025 — The President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, has directed the Committees on Ways, Means and Finance and Public Accounts to immediately begin a review of the national salary harmonization process for civil servants, as the Third Session of the 55th Legislature officially opened Monday at the Capitol Building.
Opening the session, Senator Lawrence said the review aims to ensure fair and standardized compensation based on qualifications and workload, particularly for legislative staff.
She disclosed that the Secretary of the Senate has been mandated to work with the Civil Service Agency to conduct a comprehensive personnel audit and credential verification, in collaboration with the Committee on Rules, Order and Administration. The committees are expected to report their findings to plenary within two weeks.
She welcomed senators, former lawmakers, senior staff, the media, and guests, and extended New Year greetings to Liberians at home and abroad. The Senate President Pro Tempore commended the government for improved road connectivity, crediting President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for infrastructure progress that allowed lawmakers to travel freely to their counties during the recess.
Reviewing the Second Session, which ended on December 18, 2025, Senator Lawrence reported that the Senate held 59 sittings and passed 76 legislative instruments, including 64 enactments, nine ratifications, and three amendments. Out of 236 nominees presented, 213 were confirmed. On oversight and development, she highlighted reforms in petroleum pricing that boosted revenue for the Road Fund and enabled the purchase of road equipment for all counties. She also confirmed that budgetary allocations for county capitals and salaries for County Council members were secured, fulfilling commitments made to local authorities and traditional leaders.
In foreign affairs, she praised the Senate’s role in Liberia’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and called for regular briefings from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees on international developments.
Senator Lawrence also underscored the passage of the Port Authority and Port Autonomy bills, describing them as key to economic decentralization. The laws establish an independent regulatory body for ports and redefine the National Port Authority as an operator, a move expected to stimulate growth in port cities, create jobs, and reduce population pressure on Monrovia.
She further announced that China remains committed to renovating the Joint Chambers and the old Capitol Building.
