Senators on Capitol Hill are vexed to the extent that they have raised concerns over pending bills, and unaccounted petroleum revenues, which they claimed, had remained among issues that affect their functions.
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence in Plenary on Tuesday, October 13, called for a retreat that will bring together legal experts, and relevant institutions to speed up the review process.
Sen. Lawrence reported that US$8.4 million was generated between January, and June 2026 from designated petroleum-related allocations, including US$1.7 million for social programs, and US$6.7 million for county equipment.
An additional US$24 million was reportedly raised for road fund during the same period.
However, she said, the Senate had identified concerns over previously collected petroleum revenues that were not paid into government’s Consolidated Account, as well as some current revenues.
Sen. Lawrence noted that a special committee is to report on the matter, while lawmakers have called for stronger oversight to ensure road funds are used for its intended purpose.
On security, the Senate said, its intervention followed two cocaine seizures contributed to arrests, and court proceedings, while additional budgetary support enabled soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) to recruit, and train more personnel.
Meanwhile, Sen. Lawrence disclosed how the Senate had fully implemented 99 of 145 audit recommendations reviewed by the General Auditing Commission, with another 36 partially implemented, bringing the reported implementation rate to 81 percent.
While the figures indicate progress, the institution faces the task of clearing its legislative backlog, and ensure that public revenues are properly accounted for, and oversight efforts lead to tangible results.
Senate Health Committee
In another development, the Senate Committee on Health has called for an increase in the national health budget.
The increment will address gaps in healthcare delivery, which followed an assessment tour of 10 counties.
The committee, chair Dabbah M. Varpilah, conducted the assessment to evaluate healthcare services, staff welfare, the availability of essential medicines, and the condition of health facilities.
Varpilah in her deliberations in Plenary on Tuesday, October 13, highlighted positive developments recorded during the tour. He drew attention to persistent challenges affecting healthcare delivery.
Among the reported achievements, River Gee County recorded zero maternal deaths from July 2026 up to the time of the assessment.
The Committee also noted that an oxygen plant is under construction in Grand Kru County, while no stock-outs of essential medicines were reported at the facilities visited during the assessment.
Despite these developments, Sen. Varpilah said, the Committee identified inadequate maternal waiting homes for pregnant women in remote communities; delays in the payment of health workers; a shortage of specialist doctors; insufficient ambulances, and heavy reliance on volunteer health personnel.
To address these concerns, the Committee recommended increased budgetary allocations to the health sector to support the construction, and rehabilitation of healthcare facilities, procurement of medical supplies, recruitment and retention of qualified health professionals, and expansion of emergency medical services.
Sen. Varpilah spoke of sustained investment in the health sector, which she said, was necessary to address existing deficiencies, and maintain progress in healthcare delivery.
The assessment covered Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, and Sinoe counties.
