House of Representatives Vote to Amend "Rules and Procedures" Amid Commitment to Reform and Robust Strutiny

Harbel, Margibi County - Members of the House of Representatives Saturday voted unanimously to amend their Rules and Procedures to meet present-day’s legislative standards in conducting legislative business.

During the end of the 3-day’s Legislative Reform Forum , 67 lawmakers – comprising more than two-third, said “yea” in agreement to the proposed amendment of the rules and proceedings.

House’s Speaker J. Fonati Koffa urged lawmakers to submit all proposed “rule changes” to the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Atty, Michael Thomas for review and compilation for subsequent scrutiny and adoption by plenary – the highest decision making of the House of Representatives.

“I want us to develop a way forward where all of you who have rules’ changes to write them down, submit them to Judiciary; Judiciary compiled them and resubmit them to plenary. And then we will put a committee together to review and go through them and then we can bring it back for adoption,” Speaker Koffa said.

The House’s retreat aimed to foster reform and gain a deeper understanding of their main functions of scrutiny, oversight and representation which was held in Harbel, Margibi County from Thursday to Saturday.

The retreat emphasized responsive lawmaking, proactive oversight and people centered representatives as well as methods of implementing Legislative reforms.

The Legislative Reform Forum – Retreat wass organized by the House with support from the Peace Building Fund, Sweden Sverige, European Union, Irish Aid, UN Women and UNDP.