The Liberian Senate has passed a unanimous vote, concurring with the House of Representatives to grant a Charter to the Harbel Community College, elevating the institution’s Status to Margibi University.
The decision followed a Report from the Joint Committee, comprising Education & Public Administration, Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims & Petitions, and Ways, Means, Finance & Budget on “An Act to repeal the 2012 Act creating the Harbel College and to establish in lieu thereof “Margibi University and grant it a Charter”.
The Senate’s decision to concur with the House of Representatives is to provide space for the satisfaction of the tertiary educational needs of citizens of Margibi County and other citizens in that part of the Country.
Meanwhile, the Senate’s committee Chair on Education, Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill, is commending the Liberian Senate for concurring with the House of Representatives for passing the bill.
Speaking to the Press moment following the bill’s passage, Senator McGill also used the occasion to commend the Margibi County Legislative Caucus for a joint fight to ensure that Margibi County now has a University.
Meanwhile, the Senate has endorsed recommendations from the Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Transportation regarding the revamping of Seaports in the country.
The Joint Committee has advised the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to recommend to the Executive Branch of Government, the issuance of an Executive order on the National Port Authority’s Operational Control over other Ports in the country, as the Senate prepares to take Legislative actions to revamp all Seaports.
The Senate Joint Committee on Public Corporation and Transportation has recommended measures for revamping all Seaports across the country for economic enhancement and Ports’ efficiency. The Joint Committee described as counterproductive, the over-centralization of Ports’ systems giving NPA Operational authority control which is contrary to the decentralization drive of the government, thereby hindering economic growth.
The Joint Committee also stressed that granting Autonomy to local ports in the country would create investment opportunities for the development and modernization of these ports and to create options for Port users, thereby easing the constraints at the congested Liberia Freeport in Monrovia.
The Joint Committee however highlighted the creation of job opportunities, lubrication of economic activities, and stimulation of developments in the counties that host various Seaports in the country. At the same time, the Joint committee also proposed two draft Bills for the Plenary’s indulgence and considerations, titled: “An Act to Amend Chapter 6 of the Public Utility Law creating the National Port Authority and to Create Seaport Decentralization and Modernization Act and Grant Autonomy to the Ports of Sinoe, Buchanan and Harper” and “An Act establishing Seaport and Inland Port Regulatory Authority’’.
