MONROVIA – In an address marking the close of the second quarter of the second session of the 55th Legislature, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon, expressed gratitude to his colleagues and outlined significant legislative achievements while advocating for inclusive representation in governance.
During the session, Speaker Koon reflected on the renewed confidence his colleagues placed in him during the Speakership election on May 12, acknowledging the collective commitment to governance marked by integrity and inclusiveness.
He extended his gratitude to international partners and the diplomatic community for their crucial support during the nation’s recent democratic transition.
The Speaker highlighted the House’s proactive measures in promoting good governance through the passage of key legislation aimed at combating corruption and enhancing transparency.
Notable among these were acts to ratify agreements related to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone project and the African Court on Human and People’s Rights.
Throughout the quarter, the House convened for 19 regular sittings, alongside three executive sessions and two special sittings.
A total of 42 bills were passed, including those initiated by both colleagues and the Executive, alongside significant communications from various stakeholders, reflecting an overall active legislative agenda.
Looking ahead, the Speaker called for renewed engagement with constituents during the upcoming recess, emphasizing the importance of understanding the needs and perspectives of the populace.
He urged all members to leverage this time to listen and gather insights that will better inform their legislative duties.
One of the key proposals from Speaker Koon was the establishment of new legislative seats, exclusively reserved for women and persons living with disabilities, following the validated results of the 2022 National Population and Housing Census provided by the Liberia Institute for Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS).
He urged the Joint Committee on Elections and Inauguration, Judiciary, and Good Governance to work diligently on aligning electoral thresholds with the newly obtained census data.
In concluding his remarks, Speaker Koon called upon all committees to continue their work during the break, particularly emphasizing the importance of oversight conducted by the Committee on Public Accounts and Audit.
Speaker Koon reiterated the commitment to serving with honor and diligence, hoping the upcoming quarter would yield even greater legislative accomplishments.
As the session adjourned, Speaker Koon wished his colleagues a productive break, encouraging them to harness this opportunity to foster stronger connections with the communities they represent.
