“We Didn’t Do Well in 2023” Dillon Degrades Senate’s Performance But…
By: Laymah Kollie
Monrovia-January 2,2024: One of the thirty (30) members of the Honorable Liberian Senate had confidently underscore the weakened performance of the Senate and the 54th National Legislature in 2023.
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon in an interaction with the media on 1st January at his residence in Barnesville graded the Legislature 40% over 100% in terms of carrying out its legislative obligations.
According to Senator Dillon, Lawmakers in sessions for the year did not work in the full interest of the Liberian people.
“We didn’t do well 2023. If I were to grade the Legislature from 1 to 100% on performance I will give us 40%, and if it’s from 1 to 10% I will give us 4%”, Dillon said.
The Senator believes poor oversight and representation are places the Legislature defaulted in 2023.
He outlined the inefficiency of members of the first branch of government to compared people in doing the right thing as some of the challenges faced. He outlined the inability of Ministries and Agencies to provide budget performance report ; something the August body didn’t take a critical stance on.
“If we were robust on oversight maybe George Weah would have been reelected. We failed on oversight we failed with representation, with budget performing report”.
Moreover, the Montserrado Senator then blamed the poor performance of the August body to a lack of encourage and confidence. Dillon argued that most lawmakers didn’t make decisions on their independently.
“Courage is lacking. People are afraid to say no to certain things”.
Senator Dillon however, assured Liberians of a robust Legislature that should be taking power soon. He thinks the incoming 55th will be more effective and puncture in working for the ordinary Liberians. “I’m looking forward to a 55th Legislature that can be different”.
Meanwhile , Senator Dillon statement is a confirmation of civil society organizations reports on the poor performance of the National Legislature.
Last year, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development graded the Legislature as a “weak and dependently driven” body.
Also, The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) scored the Legislature as a Weak and Politically driven body.
