MONROVIA, Montserrado – Sen. George Weah of Montserrado County released his annual report for 2015, in which he discussed his office’s accomplishments in 2015, challenges they faced, and his plans for the 2016 legislative session.  Among other subjects, the report covered the Liberian legislative budget, Weah’s work for police reform, and his personal philanthropic work.

Although the National Legislature formed a Joint Legislative Budget Committee with members from both houses “with the responsibility to extensively scrutinize the budget,” Weah said in the report that the budget “was hurriedly passed in an executive session.”

“I believe the process was not transparent, and it prevented senators that were not on the Budget Committee from comprehensively debating the final draft before it was passed,” Weah stated.

Future budgetary processes will be revised to allow for input and thorough debate, the report continued.

The report stated that The Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact Act, which is a grant from the United States government to democratic nations with lower gross national incomes, was passed, awarding Liberia US$257 million.

The report also mentioned Weah’s support for the Constitutional Review Committee’s work but shared reservations toward some of the proposed amendments. “I will work to increase awareness of proposed options that are likely to marginalize a minority group and serve as roadblocks to economic growth,” Weah stated in the report.

The United Nations Mission in Liberia will soon end its mandate in Liberia for peace and stability, and the Liberian Senate Committee on National Defense, Intelligence, Security and Veteran Affairs will take over.  Weah urged that the transition takes place after the 2017 national presidential and general elections.

After the instances of lethal force used by the Liberian National Police, such as “the March 2011 brutalization of some students from the Monrovia Consolidated School System at the campus of the G.W. Gibson High School; the November 2011 brutal invasion of the CDC party headquarters; and the inhumane beating of Esther Glain by some EPS officers,” Weah identified. The report recommended random drug testing, community background checks, a pledge from officers to uphold the highest standard of integrity, personal accountability, and community involvement to be added to the current National Police Bill.

The report also stated that, following the April conflict between the LNP and commercial motorcyclists in Paynesville, “no Liberian, regardless of social class should meet his or her demise because of a traffic violation,” but also urged citizens against acting as vigilantes, harming police and destroying property.  Weah argued for “structured engagement between the LNP and the commercial motorcyclists, based on periodic dialogue and collaborative activities.”

Weah supported the passage of The Firearms and Ammunition Control Act, which “requires the registration of all firearms,” and “limits possession to single barrel guns for non-security personnel.”

The report discussed the Sen. George M. Weah Montserrado County Scholarship and Financial Aid Fund, which was launched April 30, 2015. The scholarship was created”to help ease the post-Ebola back-to-school financial burden placed upon lower income parents.”  The scholarship paid US$135,249 to over 400 students in Liberia, including students outside of Montserrado.

The report also stated that Weah spent US$1,861 on the medical bills of critically ill patients at the SOS Hospital in Congo Town.

“Coming from humble beginnings I know what it is like to be hungry; to have nothing when your friends have the basics of life,” Weah stated.  “I know how it feels to be put out of class for tuition during test periods; how a mother feels when she cannot take her child to the hospital because of the lack of money.  IT IS NOT A GOOD FEELING!”

The report listed decreasing budgetary appropriation, lack of consensus among Senators, inadequate furnishing and equipment, and lack of financial resources as challenges and constraints currently faced by the Senate.

Weah stated that his legislative plan for 2016 was based on “four action pillars,” health, education, agriculture, and youth empowerment.

“My team has a positive outlook for the future of Liberia and will work hard to achieve the goals laid out in my legislative plan,” Weah said in the report.  “There is hope, and a brighter, better future ahead and I ask all residents of Montserrado County and all Liberians to remain focused, understanding and united in the goal to move our country forward.”

Featured Photo by Mark Garten/United Nations