By Fiona Benson Kollie
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has voted to pass into law An Act to Establish the Juarzon Vocational and Technical College, creating a new technical and vocational institution in Sinoe County.
The decision was taken on Tuesday, February 17, during Plenary’s 11th Day Sitting of the First Quarter of the Third Session.
It followed the presentation of a joint report from the Committees on Education and Public Administration, Ways, Means and Finance, and Judiciary, all recommending passage of the bill.
The draft legislation was submitted by Sinoe County Electoral District #3 Representative, Alex S. Noah.
Titled: “An Act to Establish the Juarzon Vocational and Technical College,” the legislation seeks to expand access to technical and vocational education in the county.
The proposed institution intends to enhance skills development, promote employment opportunities, and strengthen human capacity building for youths and citizens of the county.
Following deliberations, Plenary voted to pass the bill and forward it to the Senate for concurrence.
Rep. Noah expressed gratitude to his colleagues for recognizing the importance of the bill and the positive impact it is expected to have on skills training and workforce development.
US-Liberia Health MoU
In a related development, the House is seeking clarification and documentation on U.S.-Liberia Health Cooperation.
The House of Representatives, has meanwhile, invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beyslow Nyanti.
Madam Nyanti is expected to appear before Plenary Thursday to provide full clarification, and submit all relevant documents regarding the recently signed United States–Liberia Health Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Plenary’s decision stemmed from a communication submitted by Nimba County Electoral District #9 Representative, Taa Wongbe, who raised broader concerns about transparency, legal grounding, and legislative oversight in relation to recent executive actions with significant national implications.
Wongbe referenced the issuance of Executive Order No. 158 on February 13, 2026, which established the Liberia Corporation for Strategic Investment (LCSI) as a Special Presidential Project pursuant to a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afriland First Holding. He said, the Executive Order outlines an ownership structure involving government and the counties, provides exemptions from certain taxes and duties, confers privileges and immunities, and mandates operationalization pending legislative ratification.
Wongbe further that, given the fiscal, legal, and governance implications of such instruments, and in keeping with the House’s constitutional oversight responsibilities under Article 34, and related provisions of the constitution, it is necessary for the legislature to be fully apprised of the legal and financial frameworks underpinning these agreements.
Plenary agreed that the executive branch should formally submit to the House the complete Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afriland First Holding, including all annexes, financial models, implementation frameworks, tax and customs provisions, governance structures, and any related agreements referenced therein.