Senators abandon public hearing

Members of the Liberian Senate Tuesday, 5 December abandoned a scheduled public hearing for four key revenue generating agencies of government to allow a little know group to honor Senate President Pro Tempore Armah Jallah, relegating a crucial matter of state.

The Liberian economy is beset by series of challenges, including swelling exchange rate, unemployment, artificial shortages and high commodity prices, among others.

The exchange rate between the United States Dollars and the Liberian Dollar is US$1.00 to 126LRD. Pump prices for a gallon of fuel and gas are officially at US$ 3.31 or its Liberian dollar equivalent of 410 LRD per gallon and US$ 3.25 or its Liberian dollar equivalent of 400 LRD per gallon, respectively.

But multiple sources, including commercial drivers, who have hiked fares here, say petroleum products are being sold between 450LRD and 500LRD per gallon.
On Tuesday, Senate Pro-Tempore Jallah relegated these issues and instead went to his conference room to receive an honor, while senators and heads of invited agencies were seen loitering in the corridors, awaiting the honoring to end, but the event lasted for hours. Representatives of the invited various were left with no option but to return to their respective places of work.

Pro-Tempore Jallah, who is presiding officer, waited to see his guests before proceeding to the chambers to start session. The Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia Milton Weeks sent a letter of excuse, but the rest, including Commerce and Industry Minister Axel Addy, Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara and Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority Madam Elfrieda Steward Tamba were present, but they could not make presentations due to the honoring ceremony.

On 30 November the plenary of the Liberian Senate summoned key agencies of the executive branch of government to give full report on the status of the economy.
Following intense deliberations, the senators voted overwhelmingly to summon Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara, Commerce and Industry Minister Addy Axel, Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Madam Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, and Executive Governor Milton Weeks to provide updates.

Meanwhile, Grand Kru County Senator Albert Chie made a motion to reschedule the four officials from the executive branch of government next Tuesday, December 12 to examine the health of the economy.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor -Editing by Jonathan Browne