In a move aimed at strengthening legislative oversight and ensuring accountability across several sectors, the Liberian Senate on Tuesday mandated a number of its key committees to launch investigations into pressing national concerns affecting governance, transparency, and economic stability.
The decision was announced by Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence during the official opening session of the Senate’s second sitting of the 55th Legislature. The Pro Tempore emphasized that the Senate remains committed to proactive leadership and effective oversight, describing the move as part of ongoing reforms to align the Legislature with modern standards of accountability and service to the people.
“The Senate continues to be the House of Elders — working in harmony, reforming systems, exercising robust oversight, and reviewing laws to suit today’s realities for the benefit of our country,” she stated.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence reported legislative activities during the previous session, including sixty-six enactments, concurrences, and ratifications, and one hundred sixty-eight confirmations of presidential nominees. She noted that twenty-six instruments remain under committee review.
While she lauded her colleagues for their cooperation and dedication, as well as the public and media for their continued engagement in highlighting national issues that have guided the Senate’s actions, Karnga-Lawrence highlighted the need to work effectively and collectively, assuring the intent of their Legislative Power.
The Pro Tempore outlined a series of investigative mandates directed at various committees to address longstanding and emerging issues of public concern. She instructed the Committee on Labor to investigate issues surrounding work permit procedures and employment opportunities for qualified Liberians. The committee is expected to submit a report within one week, detailing statistics on jobs created or lost in the labor market.
She further directed the Committee on Public Accounts and Audits to review all questioned agreements and pricing structures involving the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC). The committee will verify the legitimacy of these agreements and make recommendations, including possible legislative action to establish a new regulatory framework for the entity.
The Joint Committee on Drugs, along with the Defense and Security Committee, will reappear before plenary to present updates on the national drug control plan. The committees are also mandated to engage the joint security sector, particularly the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), to present strategies for improved coordination and functionality.
The Committees on Internal Affairs, Ways, Means, and Finance were directed to ensure that all counties receive operational budget lines in the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ budget. They will also review the Local Government Act to determine qualification criteria for members of county councils.
A major focus of the session was a request raised by Senator Nathaniel McGill for a full investigation into more than two hundred million dollars acquired by the Government of Liberia in 2021 under the Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Resilience (SAP) and RETRACK Projects financed by the World Bank through the Ministry of Agriculture. The Senate mandated the Committee on Agriculture to verify how these funds — including one hundred twenty-four and a half million dollars for road construction and over one hundred million for smallholder farmers — were utilized. The committee is to submit its findings within two weeks for plenary debate.
During the session, senators also referenced public hearings in which the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE) reportedly failed to account for more than eight hundred thousand dollars allocated for legislative projects in the counties. The Senate has since requested an audit by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to establish accountability and transparency.
The Committee on Investment was also tasked with continuing its probe into alleged irregularities in certain investment agreements, some of which the Senate described as fraudulent. The committee is expected to work alongside senators from the affected counties to ensure comprehensive coverage of the issues.
Additionally, the Senate Secretariat was directed to circulate communications to all committees handling pending bills, setting a strict two-week deadline for the submission of progress reports.
Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence underscored that these directives are part of the Senate’s broader commitment to ensuring government efficiency and integrity. “The collaborations among senators, civil society, and the media have encouraged the right actions to be taken, and we appreciate the executive branch for considering some of our recommendations,” she said.
She concluded by reaffirming the Senate’s pledge to remain proactive in its oversight duties, adding that each committee’s investigation is expected to help improve governance and restore public trust in national institutions.
“We are determined to continue building a transparent, accountable, and reform-driven Senate that serves the Liberian people with integrity,” she declared.
