MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Albert Chie, has outlined some planned reforms to be introduced this year.

Senator Chie promised a more opened and transparent Senate, with no more secret voting.

He said:” There will be no Executive Session except for confirmation hearings and issues bordering on national security.”

The Grand Kru Lawmaker also hailed the collaboration between the House of Representatives and Senate in the discharge of their duties over the years.

The President Pro-Tempore said at no time have the Senate and the House of Representatives disagreed over a matter, dismissing report of the two bodies being at loggerheads.

At the same time, Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor wants the Senate take a critical look at the Draft 2022 National Budget, for concurrence.

During a Special Session in December 2021, the House of Representatives passed the National Budget in the tone of $786 Million USD, and submitted to the Senate for concurrence.

The Vice President also called on Senators to keep in mind that the 2022 Draft National Budget is the last pre-electoral budget.

She wants the Senate to take into consideration its direct effect on youth unemployment, increasing agriculture access and provision of agro processing facilities to farmers.

By: Sampson David/Zechariah Jigbeh