Koon mends Fence By: Julius Konton
House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon has called on his colleagues to remain resolute in their mission and quest to surpass the expectations of the Liberian people and honor the trust which they have reposed in them to serve them. Speaking at the SONA lunch, Speaker Koon urged lawmakers to work together to ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for the citizens of the country. He used the occasion to encourage his legislative colleagues to unite and fully commit to fulfilling Liberians’ expectations. Among other things, Speaker Koon’s address clearly delineated a robust and transformative vision for Liberia, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to implementing impactful progress through the ARREST Agenda and driving forward the nation’s transformation.
Acknowledging the prevailing situation, the House Speaker re-emphasized Liberia’s commitment to unity, progress, and transformative development. Also recognizing the importance of the event, Speaker Koon described the occasion as a moment to “reaffirm unity, reimagine the collective future, and a renew dedication to values that guide leadership. At the same time, he highlighted the launch of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), branding it as a transformative initiative that has inspired hope and raised expectations among Liberians. Koon expressed optimism for the implementation of the ARREST AGENDA for Inclusive Development especially so as the Legislature begins the second session of its six-year tenure. “Essential to the success of this agenda,” Koon stated, “are quality data for evidence-based decision-making.” He called on the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) to finalize and submit the 2022 National Population and Housing Census report. This report is critical for constituency demarcation and compliance with Article 80(d) of the Liberian Constitution, which mandates population-based constituency adjustments every 10 years. He noted that this constitutional requirement was last fulfilled in 2008. Demonstrating proactiveness aimed at accelerating its plan , the Speaker also presented a series of legislative priorities critical to advancing the ARREST Agenda and ensuring national progress to include among other things;
The Presidential Transition Act: This legislation aims to ensure a smooth and structured transfer of power between democratically elected administrations, promoting political stability and continuity, He also named the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act: When enacted, this law is expected to leverage Liberia’s tourism potential, attract investments, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth and development. At the same time, Speaker Koon underscored the importance of the Commission for the Elderly Act: This long-overdue legislation seeks to address the needs of Liberia’s elderly population, ensuring their welfare and inclusion in national development efforts. In a drive to strengthen decentralization there by giving power back to the people, He also named the Ministry of Local Government Act: This Act is a key step toward decentralizing government operations, enhancing service delivery, and empowering local communities. Others are, the Revisions to the New Election Law: Proposed amendments aim to align Liberia’s electoral framework with democratic principles, ensuring transparent and credible elections. He, at the same time, encouraged the Liberian Senate to prioritize concurrence on these critical bills, emphasizing their importance to Liberia’s development agenda. Speaker Koon re-emphasized by urging the Senate to expedite the concurrence on these impactful bills, underscoring their significance for Liberia’s developmental trajectory. Meanwhile, The Speaker’s remarks which centered around unity, progress and significant developmental transformation also boldly outlined an ambitious and transformative agenda for the legislative year, showcasing an unwavering commitment to driving real, actionable progress through the ARREST Agenda and a powerful vision for Liberia’s national transformation.