By Kruah Thompson
President George Weah is expected to deliver his final address for his first term to the Joint Session of the 54th Legislature on 30th January in fulfillment of Article 58 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
The President is expected to present his legislative programs and report on the state of the nation to the full Legislature in a joint session.
Briefing reporters Thursday, January 12, 2023, at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism in Monrovia, Montserrado County Electoral District#10 Representative, Moses Acarous Gray, further revealed that the President will catalog some laws his government has enacted during the period in review in not just tackling corruption, but bills that have been passed or amended.
Among them, he names the Code of Conduct, the LACC Act, the Whistleblowers Act, and the Witness Protection Act, among others.
Rep. Gray says the House of Representatives has taken full responsibility to organize activities leading to the President’s last Annual Message to the 54th Legislature in his first Six-year term.’s final
He says security protocol will be tight and advises anyone without invitation or accreditation to stay clear of the premises of the Capitol on that day.
He notes that instructions have been given to the national security apparatus to protect the entire vicinity of the Capitol, and that invitations will be sent across to specific personalities by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with priority given to only ministers proper from various ministries.
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“This year is going to be a different year; we don’t want anyone embarrassing himself or herself, therefore, we cannot have everyone at the assembly. only guests will be allowed to enter the joint assembly,” he underscores, adding that series of meetings are being held with line ministries and agencies to ensure proper execution of the program.
He says already, accreditation process for media institutions has begun in coordination with the Ministry of Information and that only accredited Journalists will be allowed in the joint assembly.
The ruling Coalition lawmaker says the Legislature will not condom people taking invitations and giving them to others to come to the program, warning “If you’re not officially invited and someone gives you invitation, you have to stay away.”
Meanwhile, he says President Weah will be the last person to enter the grounds of the Capitol and the first to leave after the ceremony, and no one will be allowed to enter the building once the President enters.
