Paynesville, Liberia – March 19, 2025 – Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has released its highly anticipated 2025 Legislative Digest, a comprehensive evaluation of the 55th Legislature’s performance during its inaugural year, spanning January to December 2024. The report unveiled at a press conference held at Naymote’s headquarters in Paynesville, provides a critical analysis of the legislature’s activities, focusing on legislation, representation, and oversight within Liberia’s evolving governance framework.
Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo, addressing the assembled press and civil society representatives, underscored the significance of the Legislative Digest as a vital tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement. “This report serves as a bridge between lawmakers and the public, providing crucial insights into the legislative process and fostering a more informed and participatory democracy,” Jarwolo stated.
The 2025 edition meticulously examines the 146 sittings of the House of Representatives and 76 sittings of the Senate, offering a data-driven assessment of legislative activity. The report highlights several key achievements:
* Legislative Output: The House of Representatives passed 32 legislative instruments, with 16 originating from the Executive Branch. The Senate passed 29 legislative instruments, including 18 ratifications, 7 enactments, and 4 amendments.
* Executive Confirmation: The Senate confirmed 996 nominees, demonstrating active participation in government appointments and vetting.
* Public Engagement: 41 public hearings were conducted, facilitating citizen input, and 5 formal petitions were submitted by the public, indicating a growing sense of civic engagement.
* Development-Focused Legislation: Key legislative actions impacting national development were identified, including initiatives focused on regional infrastructure development (Mano River Union Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme), electricity expansion (Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project Phase 2), governance reform (Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation Project), and youth empowerment (Program for Advancing Youth Entrepreneurship Investment – PAYEI).
Despite these positive developments, the report reveals significant gaps in legislative efficiency, oversight, and transparency. Critical challenges include:
* Transparency Deficiencies: The absence of readily accessible public records on lawmakers’ voting history hinders public scrutiny and accountability.
* Budget Accountability Issues: Several ministries, agencies, and commissions failed to submit performance reports, impeding effective budget oversight.
* Gender Imbalance: The legislature’s composition remains heavily skewed towards men, with only 11 women among 103 legislators, undermining gender equality in governance.
* Internal Conflicts: Leadership disputes within the House of Representatives have negatively impacted legislative stability and efficiency.
* Digital Accessibility Gap: The lack of a functional digital platform for real-time legislative updates limits public access to information and engagement.
Naymote has issued a strong call for comprehensive reforms, urging the Legislature to:
* Enhance Transparency: Publish lawmakers’ voting records and committee reports to foster greater public accountability.
* Strengthen Oversight: Enforce the submission of quarterly and annual performance reports by all government agencies.
* Increase Citizen Engagement: Develop an interactive legislative website to provide real-time updates and facilitate public participation.
* Promote Gender Inclusion: Implement policies that actively encourage women’s participation in governance.
* Resolve Leadership Disputes: Foster unity and cooperation within the House of Representatives to ensure a more effective legislative process.
The report also emphasizes the tangible impact of legislative actions on rural communities, particularly in farming regions. Initiatives like the Rural Economic Transformation Project, benefiting Bong, Lofa, Nimba, and Gbarpolu counties, and the Mano River Union Road Development Project, improving transport infrastructure, are expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity and market access. Furthermore, improved road access in the southern counties of Sinoe, River Gee, Grand Kru, and Grand Gedeh will enhance access to essential services like healthcare and education.
Naymote’s 2025 Legislative Digest serves as a crucial catalyst for promoting legislative accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. The organization calls upon lawmakers, civil society organizations, and development partners to collaborate in strengthening Liberia’s democratic institutions and ensuring effective governance.
The report was made possible through the generous support of the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), underscoring the international community’s commitment to supporting democratic governance in Liberia.
Comments are closed.