Pres. Sirleaf meets Speaker Nuquay

President Ellen Johnson on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 received the Speaker and members of the leadership of the House of Representatives at her Foreign Ministry Office in Monrovia. Speaker Emmanuel Nuquay and the entire leadership of the House of Representatives discussed matters of importance to the state with focus on enhancing cooperation and collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Executive Branch of the Government.

An Executive Mansion release said, President Sirleaf thanked Speaker Nuquay and the House’s leadership for the gesture of meeting with her and the steps taken towards the unification of its members after an impasse that saw deep division amongst them. She assured them of her personal support and the support of the Executive in fostering unity with the National legislature and the House of Representatives in particular.

President Sirleaf encouraged members of the House of Representatives to ensure that citizens of their respective districts remain peaceful at all time and stay away from violence and other destructive activities as the country moves toward the 2017 General and Presidential Elections.

“The 2017 elections must and will be free, fair, transparent and credible. We must jointly ensure that this will be the case so the results can be respected by the Liberian people and the international community”, she pointed out.

She warned that there is apprehension amongst investors and partners of the country, which is slowing down economic activities because of the 2017 elections and urged the legislature, judiciary and the Liberian people to demonstrate to the world that democratic values, peace and security will be maintain before, during and after the elections.

She commended members of the House of Representatives for ensuring the passage of several pending pieces of legislations after the impasse and added that it has helped to move a number of programs and developmental initiatives forward.

President Sirleaf informed Speaker Nuquay and his delegation about plans to target strategic actions at members of the Cabinet and others in the Executive amidst the current economic situation and expressed the hope that other branches of the government will follow suit.

Speaking earlier, Speaker J. Emmanuel Nuquay thanked President Sirleaf for accepting to meet with the leadership of the House and the level of coordination, cooperation and collaboration that has taken place between the Executive and the Legislature.

He also reflected on the just ended crisis at the House and informed the President about a reconciliation effort his leadership has initiated to reunite members of the Lower House. In what was termed as a Statement of Cooperation, Speaker Nuquay noted that his leadership has realized the need to fully partner with other branches of the Liberian Government to fully complete the country’s development agenda and goals. “Members of the House of Representatives are resolved to be an active part of implementing the nation’s development agenda for the benefit of the Liberian people. We know that it is very important to bring development to the people despite all the differences and disagreements we have had”, Speaker Nuquay indicated.

He recounted that the country has held two successive and peaceful elections in 2005 and 2011, which helped to sustain the peace, democracy and stability and must ensure the same in 2017. “Madam President, we commit ourselves to the conduct of successful a election in 2017 and to work with you and the entire government to move the country forward”, Speaker Nuquay concluded.