MONROVIA- The Institute for Research and Development (IREDD) has launched its 2024 midterm Legislative Performance Report, highlighting poor attendance for Rivercess Senator Bill Twehway and Francis Dopoh of Rivergee County, marking the lowest score of ‘D’ due to absenteeism.
By Francis G. Boayue, [email protected]
IREDD’s Executive Director Dan Sayee, speaking over the weekend at the launch of IREDD’s midterm performance reports, covering the 55th national legislature, said both Senators, Twehway and Dopoh’s continuous absence from attending legislative functions had resulted in accumulating the lowest score of (D), while another senator, Alex Jeneka Tyler, received an (No Grade) due to his assignment with ECOWAS.
Twehway, prior to being elected as senator during the 2023 general elections, replacing former Senator Dallas Gueh, once served the 53rd legislature as former representative of Montserrado county district 3, and later Managing Director of the National Port Authority under the CDC-led government.
However, the IREDD’s 2024 midterm report has termed his inconsistency in attending legislative functions as an “unwanted and poor representation” of the people of Rivercess.
According to IREDD’s boss, the institution’s 2024 performance report using the legislative performance scorecard, is part of an effort to strengthen transparency and accountability in the Liberian Legislature to promote inclusive and accountable Governance in Liberia.
IREDD’s Executive Director, Dan Sayee, further said, six senators including Crayton O. Duncan, James P. Biney, Zoe Emmanuel Penue, Prince Johnson, Gbehzohngar M.Findley, and Amara Konneh got a “C” in attendance, while ten senators, including the Pro-Tempore, Hon. Nyonblee K. Lawrence, achieved the highest attendance mark (A), and nine senators received a (B) score.
Nevertheless, the report which both covered the House of Senate and House of Representatives, said 18 representatives received an (A) for higher attendance, while 20 of them received an (F) for continued absence during the first and second quarters of
legislative sections.
Mr. Sayee added: “This report presents a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the 55th Legislature, evaluating its adherence to best international practices in several key areas: representation, oversight, lawmaking, institutional performance, gender sensitivity, and support for essential organs such as the Legislative Information Service, Legislative Budget Office, and the Central Department.”
