The much-expected confirmation of nominees of the Independent National Human Rights Commission (INHRC) has suffered yet another setback in the Liberian Senate.  The presidential nominees were recently rejected by plenary of the Liberian Senate following nearly six months of vetting process carried out by the Liberian Senate. However, a motion for reconsideration over the rejection of the INHRC Commissioners was filed by Sinoe County Senator, Mubutu Nyepan. The motion was passed yesterday following nearly 6 hours of closed door session. “The acceptance of the motion means that the process restarts with the nominees reappearing before the committee one-on-one to be vetted,” Senate Spokesman, Varney Gbessay told legislative reporters minutes following the Executive Session. Mr. Gbessay said the nominees will be vetted again as was done by the committee to know whether they are credible enough and have the requisite credentials to serve on the Human Rights Commission. “The process will begin on square one again,” he told journalists.

Gbessay noted that the process should not be considered as a delay or intended to deny the nominees for the job but to ensure that transparency is done in the process of recruiting people to serve on the Independent National Human Rights Commission. In another legislative news, an Act to repeal parts I, II, III, IV, VI, VII, and VIII of Chapter 21 Title 37 of the Revenue Code of Liberia Act of 2000 has been introduced in the House of Representatives.  The Act seeks to detach the Revenue Department from the Ministry of Finance and amend same to create the Liberia Revenue Authority as an autonomous agency of the government of Liberia.  According to the crafter of the Act, Grand Gedeh County Representative, Kai Farley, the introduction of the new Act is based on lack of transparency and accountability in the event of equitable disability and equitable distribution of government resources.  In the proposed document, Rep. Farley noted that Liberia does not necessarily need so many ministries being impregnated with complex departments, bureaus, and divisions but small and efficient agencies to be effective and capable to deliver the government's goods and services to the citizens.

He said the present functions of the Ministry of Finance in the Executive Branch of government shows conflicts, fragmentations and duplications in the activities and or functions in the administration of national revenue and resources contrary to the current policies of good governance and government reforms enumerated by the government of Liberia.  In another development, Grand Bassa County Representative, Byron Brown has spoken strongly on what he calls mistreatment of chiefs in various parts of the country by the Internal Affairs Ministry.  Rep. Brown said Article 56(b) of the Constitution of Liberia calls for the elections of chiefs by registered voters in their respective localities to serve for at least six years, meaning that they are important part of the government of Liberia's administrative organ and are equally entitled to all rights and privileges.

Rep. Brown noted, “It has been painfully glaring, unfortunately that over a period of almost three years some of the chiefs in the local administration of this government have been kept off payroll of government despite frantic efforts made by them to have their names placed on payroll.”  He said many times these chiefs have to galvanize their hard earned resources to travel to Monrovia in an effort to have the Ministry of Internal Affairs correct the situation but to no avail. Meanwhile, the Grand Bassa County lawmaker has written plenary of the House of Representative to invite the Minister of Internal Affairs to provide some clear information on the issue.