UN Deputy Envoy emphasizes the importance of drafting clear laws, as she hands over newly refurbished drafting offices to Liberian Legislature

Monrovia, Liberia – UN Deputy Envoy for the Rule of Law, Ms. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu today handed over four new offices to the Legislative Drafting Section of the National Legislature to enhance its capacity in drafting legislations. The offices were rehabilitated, furnished and equipped through funds made available by the Quick Impact Projects programme of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

Ms. Mensa-Bonsu said that laws must not only be enacted by the Legislature to promote peace, reconciliation and good governance, “they must be drafted in such a way that the intentions of the elected representatives of the people of Liberia are clear and not open to misinterpretation.” She added that the Legislature has a role in ensuring that draft legislation is reviewed appropriately and passed in a timely manner, “to encourage and promote necessary reforms and advance the interests of the Liberian people.” In a country that is still in the recovery phase following many years of conflict, the UN Deputy Envoy stressed that the role of the Legislature cannot be underestimated and it is essential that its responsibilities in the law making process are carried out effectively.

Handing over the newly refurbished facilities to the leadership of the Liberian Legislature, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) reiterated the commitment of the United Nations family to support the Legislature. The DSSG pointed out that support has been directed to all other branches of the Government in Liberia as well, in a bid to provide needed support to all three branches of government.  

She congratulated UNDP, UNICEF, UK Department for International Development (DfID) and Liberia Institute of Public Administration for their collaborative and consolidated efforts. Their initiative supported three capacity building programmes in Liberia and abroad for staff of the National Legislature and other components of the Liberian Government, the DSRSG noted.

The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Hon. Cletus Wotorson said the Legislature can not be effective in the absence of proper drafting of laws, underpinned by significant research. He expressed thanks and appreciation that their partners, including the UN, have come to their aid in providing the facilities, “to ensure that our people are comfortable and can do effective work.”

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tokpa Mulbah described the hand-over ceremony as, “the right moment the Legislature has been looking forward to because we can not function with these impediments.” He pointed out that this is the only way the Legislative work will benefit Liberia and the future of the National Legislature - building the capacity of the Legislature. “If we do not have the ways and means to enable us to make laws, anything passed out there will have loopholes,” the Deputy Speaker emphasized. He thanked the United Nations for the support and expressed optimism that the new facilities will benefit the people of Liberia and the National Legislature.

Also attending the hand-over were the Director of UNMIL Legal and Judicial System Support Division, Mr. Kamudoni Nyasulu; Chairman, Joint Legislature Modernization Committee, Senator Blamo Nelson; Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Joseph Nagbe; Dean, Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, Cllr. David A.B. Jallah; Legal Counsel, Liberian Senate, Cllr. Jonathan Williams; Secretary, Liberian Senate, Hon. Naborlor Singbeh; and other members of the Legislature.