Senate Pro-Tempore and staffers are in disagreement over benefits and salary.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia, January 14, 2025 – Bad blood and misunderstanding are brewing between staffers of the Liberian Senate and Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Kangar-Lawrence amid her warning to the Staffers Association against unlawful disruptions and spread of misleading information. She gave the stern warning during official opening of the Second Session of the 55th Legislature on Monday, January 13, 2024.
In a recent press conference, the staffers accused Pro-Tempore Kangar Lawrence of withholding their benefits and salary from the just-ended special session.
However, responding, she says the Liberian Senate will no longer tolerate unlawful disruptions of its functions, including misleading information to the public.
“We would like to inform the leadership of the Senate staffers that the Senate will no longer tolerate unlawful disruptions of the Senate functions and misleading information to the public. The press conference by the leadership accusing the Senate of denying staff Special siting benefits is false and misleading, and the Senate Rules Order and Administration Committee (ROA) Chairman has been asked to investigate this matter and take appropriate actions”, she notes.
According to the Pro-Tempore, the Liberian Senate had three special sittings in 2024, and all staffers were paid for two sittings. Payment for the final sitting is being processed from the 2025 National Budget signed recently by President Joseph N. Boakai after the press statement from the leadership of the staffers.
Senator Kangar-Lawrence, instead, says she looks forward to a more productive year, best working relationship, and dedication to work in the interest of the state, adding that she wishes to encourage the leadership always to use the options of engagement and proper research to address matters of concern, because the chairperson of the Rules, Order and Administration committee has been very assessable and cooperative.
Meanwhile, providing updates on the Rule Order and Administration (ROA) and Central Administration’s redundant staff, she explains that they have taken some decisions and pensioned some staffers.
In collaboration with the Civil Service Agency, the Liberian Senate has retired 43 persons. In addition to their required civil servants’ benefits, the Senate has given a handshake envelope to each retiree in appreciation of their services rendered. Those retired have worked at the Senate for over 15 years or are 65 years and over. Our oldest retiree is 83 years”, Senator Kangar Lawrence explains.
According to her, at a retreat in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, in June 2024, the Senate reviewed its Rules. It passed on all amendments in Plenary, adding that the Rules have been printed and distributed to all Senators.
‘’Renovation work of the Senate, which will include the renovation of the Senate’s original Chambers, is ongoing. Security: We have asked the Liberia National Police to take charge of the security at the Senate and work in collaboration with the Senate security department until all security measures are put in place by our Defense and Security Committee. We ask for everyone’s cooperation to ensure the proper execution of measures that will be put in place.”
Madam Kangar Lawrence further discloses that they are concluding arrangements with the Minister of Public Works to install Solar-Powered Streetlights to enhance nighttime visibility and deter criminal activities around the Capitol Building.
She says the Security and Defense Committee is also consulting for installing a state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance system that would cover all key areas within and around the Capitol Building to complement what she terms “real-time monitoring” that will enhance rapid response to incidents and aid in post-event investigation.
“Before I close, we again extend our deepest sympathies to the Senate, Counties, and Families for the loss of our former and sitting Colleagues: Sen. Sumo Kupee, Lofa County, Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, Nimba County, Sen. Joyce Musu Freeman-Sumo, Montserrado County, Former Vice President John D. Gray and Former President Pro-Tempore, Sen. Cletus Segbe Wotorson, Grand Kru. The book of condolence is open for Senator Prince Johnson”, she adds.
Sen. Johnson, who died in November 2024 at 72, will be interred this week in his native Nimba County. Editing by Jonathan Browne
