MONROVIA, LIBERIA-President Joseph Boakai is expected to deliver the first State of the Nation Address as Liberia’s 26th President today, Monday, January 29 at the Capitol, in Monrovia.
Monday’s address by President Boakai is in line with Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution.
Article 58 of the Liberian Constitution states: the President shall, on the Fourth Working Monday in January of each year, present the Administration’s legislative programs for the ensuing session.
It also states that the President shall report the state of the Republic to the National Legislature once a year.
Presidential Press Secretary Kulah Fofana told a Special MICAT Press Briefing on Sunday, January 28, 2024, that President Boakai’s address will focus on the state of the economy.
The Presidential Press Secretary said the President’s address will also highlight his legislative programs and other key national priorities of his government.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House’s Committee on Executive, Representative Emmanuel Dahn, said preparations have been concluded to convene a Joint Session for the ensuing State of the Nation Address by President Joseph Boakai.
Representative Dahn said:” Stringent security measures have been put in place to ensure the successful hosting of the national event for the President’s address on Monday.”
The Chairman of the Executive also disclosed that the usual five hundred attendees for the occasion have been reduced to four hundred to avoid overcrowding and the recurrence of the January 22 incident.
Representative Emmanuel Dahn, however, called on the public to abide by security protocols, while, at the same time, warning unauthorized individuals against intrusion during the ceremony.
In a related development, the Joint Security has released security protocols for the pending State of the Nation Address.
According to security protocol, regular traffic will run from early Monday morning to 3 pm through Tubman Boulevard to Central Monrovia.
The Protocol says motorbikes and Kekeh operators plying on Monday from the ELWA Junction to Central Monrovia will be diverted from Vamoma Junction through Sinkor by assigned officers after 3 pm.
At the same time, vehicles plying from Central Monrovia through Sinkor will be diverted to Jallah Town, urging unauthorized motorists and individuals to stay clear of the Capitol.
The statement is also quoted as saying regular traffic through Capitol Hill will immediately resume after the President’s convoy has left the Capitol.
By: Joseph Koon