10/10/2025
Speech delivered by House Speaker Hon Richard Nagbe Koon
REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Capitol Building, Monrovia
"SPECIAL REMARKS
By Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon
Speaker, House of Representatives, 55th Legislature
At the Opening of the Third and Final Quarter of the Second Session
Friday, October 10, 2025
Capitol Building, Monrovia
Opening Remarks
Honorable colleagues, distinguished members of this august body, staff of the Legislature, members of the press, and our fellow citizens.
It is indeed a pleasure to welcome you all back from our short but well-deserved constituency break. I trust that the time away was productive and that you reconnected with your people, listened to their concerns, and returned reenergized for the great task of national service before us.
The second quarter of this session was not without its challenges, but it was also a period of progress and reflection. We witnessed the successful passage of key instruments that align with our shared vision for national renewal. We also took steps to strengthen legislative oversight and improve coordination with our counterparts in the Executive and Judiciary branches.
For these collective strides, I say: well done, Colleagues.
As we commence this third and final quarter of our second session, let us continue in that same spirit of purpose, unity, and patriotism. This quarter will be one of intense legislative activity, and our people are watching with great expectation.
Distinguished colleagues, one of our proudest achievements this year is the ongoing completion and refurbishment of the main chamber of the House of Representatives. This project, long overdue, is not merely about optics; it is a testament to our commitment to restore dignity, order, and pride to the people’s House. Once completed, it will stand as a symbol of the modern, functional, and accountable Legislature that we aspire to build.
As leaders, we must lead by example. I therefore remind all colleagues to carry the full complement of their legislative license plates on their official vehicles. This may seem small, but it speaks volumes about our respect for institutional order and helps avoid unnecessary embarrassment with state security operatives.
Similarly, I want to call on the committee reviewing the current Rules of the House to act swiftly and present the first draft of their proposed revisions to plenary during our next sitting. These reforms are vital if we are to modernize our legislative procedures and align our internal processes with best practices.
Fellow colleagues, let me take this moment to urge our committee chairpersons and co-chairpersons to work collaboratively. Committees are the engine rooms of this Legislature. It is there that the hard work of lawmaking, oversight, and policy scrutiny takes place. I encourage you to engage one another, share expertise, and ensure that reports are timely, thorough, and action-oriented.
During this quarter, we also expect the National Budget to be presented to this body. I want to encourage all members to approach the budget hearing process with diligence and seriousness. Each committee member must make it a priority to attend the hearings of entities under their oversight. This is where our duty to the Liberian people becomes most practical by ensuring that public funds are used for the public good.
Honorable colleagues, the budget is not just a financial document, it is a reflection of our values and priorities as a nation. As we deliberate this year’s budget, I urge us to focus on key thematic areas that speak directly to the daily realities of our people.
1. Health – We must consider an increment in the allocation to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, our country’s premier referral facility. Its capacity to deliver quality healthcare must not be compromised.
2. Education – The University of Liberia deserves our full attention. Let us make provision for its infrastructural development and operational sustainability. Education is the greatest equalizer, and we must empower our next generation with the tools to lead.
3. Aviation – The Roberts International Airport remains the gateway to our country. We must allocate resources to improve its safety and security by procuring modern navigation aids and essential safety equipment. The world must see Liberia as open, safe, and ready for business; to name a few.
Beyond the budget, there are critical bills and legislative actions that demand our immediate attention.
The New Elections Law remains one of our top priorities. I urge the Committee on Elections to present its report to plenary without further delay so that we can make informed decisions regarding the threshold for constituency delineation in line with the Constitution. We are already beyond the constitutionally set timeframe, and time is of the essence.
I am pleased to note the progress in the formation of the Mano River Union Parliament. The process is well underway, and plans are being made for an official launch early next year in one of our sister countries. The number and names of members to represent Liberia in this sub-regional body will soon be shared with this House. I commend our colleagues who have been part of this formative process for their diligence and commitment to regional cooperation.
Furthermore, I urge all committees to expedite work on pending legislations languishing in committee rooms. Let us act swiftly to ensure that critical bills are passed for the benefit of our citizens.
To our colleagues in the Senate, we equally urge timely action on important instruments before you, including the National Old Folks Bill and the Amended Disability Act; both vital for promoting inclusive governance and protecting the dignity of all Liberians.
Honorable colleagues, as we embark on this third and final quarter, let us be reminded that history is watching. The Liberian people look to this 55th Legislature for leadership that is honest, courageous, and united.
Let us work not as partisans, but as patriots. Let us debate vigorously, but respectfully. Let us disagree, but never be divided. Our collective actions in these chambers will define the kind of country we leave behind for the next generation.
Together, let us ensure that when the curtain falls on this second session, the people of Liberia will say with pride that our Representatives stood for us, spoke for us, and served us well.
May God bless the House of Representatives, and may God bless the Republic of Liberia.
Thank you!"
