Capitol Hill, Liberia – In a stirring address during the State of the Nation event on Monday, January 27, 2025, Speaker of the House of Representatives Richard Nagbeh Koon called for unity and legislative urgency to advance Liberia’s development under President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Delivering his remarks to an attentive audience, Speaker Koon framed the day as a pivotal moment to recommit to service, progress, and the shared values guiding national leadership.
Speaker Koon described the ARREST Agenda as a transformative blueprint, raising significant hopes among Liberians for a new era of growth and opportunity. He emphasized the need for evidence-based policymaking, urging the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) to finalize and submit the 2022 national population and housing census report. According to Koon, this critical data would enable the Legislature to meet its constitutional mandate under Article 80(d), which requires constituency demarcation every ten years. The Speaker lamented that this requirement, last fulfilled in 2008, is overdue and urged swift action to uphold democratic principles.
In his address, Speaker Koon underscored the importance of enacting key legislation aligned with the ARREST Agenda. He called on the Senate to expedite the passage of the Presidential Transition Act, a measure aimed at formalizing the transfer of power between democratically elected administrations. According to Koon, such legislation is vital for ensuring stability and continuity in governance, particularly as Liberia strengthens its democratic institutions.
The Speaker also highlighted the untapped potential of Liberia’s tourism sector, advocating for the passage of the Liberia National Tourism Authority Act. He argued that leveraging the nation’s tourism resources could drive investment, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Similarly, he reiterated the need for the Senate to finalize legislation to establish a Commission for the Elderly, a long-pending proposal that Koon said reflects Liberia’s commitment to caring for its most vulnerable citizens.
Another legislative priority, according to the Speaker, is the Ministry of Local Government Act. Koon described this proposed law as a cornerstone of the government’s decentralization efforts, intended to bring decision-making closer to the people. He urged his colleagues to prioritize the Act and submit it for Senate concurrence, underscoring its potential to enhance governance and service delivery across the country.
The Speaker did not shy away from addressing the upcoming electoral cycle, stressing the urgency of resolving issues with the New Election Law. He emphasized the Legislature’s responsibility to ensure that the electoral framework is robust and equitable, fostering confidence in Liberia’s democratic processes. Koon pledged to work collaboratively with his colleagues to finalize the law during the current legislative session.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the ARREST Agenda, Speaker Koon called for collective action to meet the expectations of the Liberian people. He described the agenda as a shared mission, one that requires the full commitment of the Legislature to transform Liberia into a nation of opportunity and prosperity.
As he concluded his address, Speaker Koon urged his colleagues to work with renewed determination, honoring the trust placed in them by the citizens of Liberia. “Let us work collaboratively to ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for all Liberians,” he stated, closing his remarks with a prayer for the success of their endeavors and the nation at large.