The Government of Liberia

The Executive Branch

Article 50
The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President, who shall be Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms.

The Legislature

Article 29
The legislative power of the Republic shall be vested in the Legislature of Liberia, which shall consist of two separate houses: A Senate and a House of Representatives, both of which must pass on all legislation.
Article 30
Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of the Legislature. a. for the Senate, have attained the age of 30 years and for the House of Representatives, have attained the age of 25 years. b. be domiciled in the country or constituency to be represented no less than one year before the election and be a taxpayer. 

The Judicial Branch

Article 65
The Judicial Power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and such subordinate courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws by the standards enacted by the Legislature. Judgments of the Supreme Court shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review by any other branch of Government. Nothing in this Article shall prohibit administrative consideration of the Justiciable matter before a court of competent jurisdiction review.

Liberia Government at a Glance

The Constitution of Liberia divides the Government of Liberia into three co-equal branches. They are the executive, legislative and judicial. The executive enforces the legislature’s law, and the judiciary interprets the law through the courts. As co-equal branches of the government, the executive should not have undue influence over the lawmaking branch (the legislative) and the law interpretation organ (the judicial). If this occurs, power will fuse, and the Checks and Balances system will become violated. In other words, for good governance to exist in society, the three branches of the government must constantly check on one another to ensure no one branch of government violates the constitution and the laws of the land with impunity. 

The Executive Branch Chapter IV: The Executive

Article 50

The Executive Power of the Republic shall be vested in the President, who shall be Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. The president shall be elected by universal adult suffrage of registered voters in the Republic and shall hold office for six years commencing at noon on the third working Monday in January of the year immediately following the elections. No person shall serve as President for more than two terms.

In other words, the role of the Executive branch of government is to carry out the law that the Legislative Branch writes. The Constitution says that the President—as the head of this branch—is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia. It also says that the President can appoint or dismiss high-level government officials, such as cabinet ministers, to help implement government policies. However, the Liberian Constitution is clear in saying that the President cannot arbitrarily execute the laws that the legislative branch writes. The president has to follow the Constitution and all the laws of the country.

There shall be a Vice-President who shall assist the President in the discharge of his functions. The Vice-President shall be elected on the same political ticket and serve the same term as the President. The Vice-President shall be President of the Senate and preside over its deliberations without the right to vote, except in the case of a tie vote. He shall attend meetings of the cabinet and other governmental meetings. He shall perform such functions as the President shall delegate or deem appropriate, provided that no powers expressly vested in the President by the provisions of this Constitution shall be charged to the Vice-President.

Article 54 of the Liberian Constitution says, among other things, that the President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint and commission–
a. cabinet ministers, deputy and assistant cabinet ministers;
b. ambassadors, ministers, consuls; and
c. the Chief Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts;
d. superintendents, other county officials, and officials of other political subdivisions;
e. members of the military from the rank of lieutenant or its equivalent and above; and
f. marshalls, deputy marshals, and sheriffs.

Chapter V: The Legislature

Article 29

The legislative power of the Republic shall be vested in the Legislature of Liberia which shall consist of two separate houses: A Senate and a House of Representatives, both of which must pass on all legislation. The enacting style shall be: “It is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature assembled.

Article 30

Citizens of Liberia who meet the following qualifications are eligible to become members of the Legislature.
a. for the Senate, have attained the age of 30 years and for the House of Representatives, have attained the age of 25 years;
b. be domiciled in the country or constituency to be represented not less than one year prior to the time of the election and be a taxpayer.

The House of Representatives has 64 members, one from each electoral district in Liberia. Members of the House of Representatives serve in government for six years. The Senate has 30 members, a junior and a senior Senator from each county. All Senators serve for nine years (except in the case of the special elections in 2005 where senior Senators serve 9 years and junior Senators 6 years).

Chapter VII: The Judiciary

Article 65

The Judicial Power of the Republic shall be vested in a Supreme Court and such subordinate courts as the legislature may from time to time establish. The courts shall apply both statutory and customary laws in accordance with the standards enacted by the Legislature. Judgements of the Supreme Court shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review by any other branch of Government. Nothing in this Article shall prohibit administrative consideration of the Justiciable matter prior to review by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Article 67

The Supreme Court shall comprise of one Chief Justice and four Associate Justice, a majority of whom shall be deemed competent to transact the business of the Court. It a quorum is not obtained to enable the Court to hear any case, a circuit judge in the order of seniority shall sit as an ad hoc justice of the Supreme Court.

Liberia applies both statutory and customary laws. They coexist in Liberia. The legislators enact statutory laws. The customary laws are tribal customs, cultural or traditional practices. Local paramount chiefs, clan chiefs or town chiefs apply customary laws to judge marriage disputes, inheritance and land ownership rights cases, robberies and perfidies to a clan, to name a few examples. Customary laws, however, are practiced under the Ministry of Internal Affairs jurisdiction. These seem to fuse the power structure and checks and balance system between the executive and the judicial branch.

There are magistrate courts and 16 Circuit Courts in Liberia. Except for Montserrado county that has the first and sixth Circuit Courts, there is one Circuit Court in each county. There are also specialized courts including Debt Court, Probate Court, Tax Court, Traffic Court, Juvenile Court, and commercial court.
Circuit court is a jury trial court. A jury is a group of people selected according to law and given the power to decide questions of fact and return a verdict in the case submitted to them. A Justice of the Peace Court is a local judicial officer having jurisdiction over minor criminal offenses and minor civil disputes.  Magistrate’s court has limited authority over small criminal and civil matters. Juvenile court has jurisdiction over cases involving children under 18 years old.

First Judicial Court Montserrado County
Second Judicial Circuit Court Grand Bassa County
Third Judicial Circuit Court Sinoe County
Fouth Judicial Circuit Court Maryland County
Fifth Judicial Circuit Court Grand Cape Mount County
Six Judicial Circuit Court Montserrado County
Seventh Judicial Circuit Court Grand Gedeh County
Eight Judicial Circuit Court Nimba County
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Bong County
Tenth Judicial Circuit Court Lofa County
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court Bomi County
Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court Grand Kru County
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Marghibi County
Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Court Rivercess County
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court River Gee County
Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Court Gbarpolu County

Ministries & Agencies

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Creation: 1848
Name Its current, Ministry of Foreign Affairs came into being in 1972
Former Name: Department of State (DoS). A Secretary of State initially headed the DoS. Hilary Teague, who also drafted the Liberian Declaration of Independence, became Liberia’s first secretary of State in 1848.
Current Function: It implements Liberia’s external policies and relations and manages its diplomatic missions accredited abroad.
Former Function: Same as the new function
Order of Succession: 3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is the dean of the cabinet and therefore ascends to the presidency after the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate.
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Ministry of Finance & Development Planning

Creation: 2014
Name: Ministry of Finance & Development Planning
Former Name: Ministry of Finance
Function: MFDP formulates and administers economic development, fiscal and tax policies for the promotion of sound and efficient management of the financial resources of the Government, helps the revenue program of the Government, including supervision of the collection of the revenues; reports the financial activities and financial position of the Government to the President and the Legislature; maintains the central accounting records of the Government and prescribe for all Government agencies of accounts reporting and documentation necessary to safeguard the assets of the Government. MFDP also formulates fiscal policies for financial planning, disburses Government funds by legislative appropriations, and performs all such services relating to the Government finances imposed by law.
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Ministry of Justice
Ministry of National Defense

Creation: 1946
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Function: The Ministry of Defense was established in 1956 by an Act of the National Legislature and charged with providing direction and supervision to the Armed Forces of Liberia. The Minister of National Defense shall have complete authority over the armed forces of Liberia, including all matters relating to their training, operation administration, logistic support and maintenance, development, welfare, preparedness, and effectiveness. The President shall, however, make all military appointments.

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Ministry of Internal Affairs

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Function: Functions of the Ministry include designing and implementing development projects and transforming rural communities into viable towns and cities. The Ministry also provides supervision and management of tribal affairs and is mandated to support democratic, effective and efficient local governance, including the decentralization process. Moreover, the Ministry of Internal affairs manages tribal affairs and all matters arising out of tribal relationships; coordinates and implements Government services rendered through the units of Local Government; reviews proposed budgets, taxes, projects, and programs offered by local government units, and makes recommendations and takes steps necessary for the implementation of the proposed activities. MoIA also determines the readiness of a county or other team of local government for increased responsibility; oversees the selection, training, and efficient performance Of the administrative personnel of local government; ensures the orderly functioning of tribal government and drafts rules and regulations to effectuate this purpose. The rules and regulations shall include provisions relating to tribal domestic relations, regulating and setting procedures in tribal trials, governing cultural institutions and societies, and stating the schedules of fees to be allowed in tribal courts; Supervising the elections of Paramount, Clan Chief, and Town Chiefs in cooperation with the Elections Commission; reviewing the budget of tribal treasurers and managing tribal authorities in the keeping of proper records; administering the system of tribal courts; and exercising administrative supervision over the Poro, Sande and other tribal societies through the Liaison Officer for Tribal Societies.
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Ministry of Education

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Function: It works to eradicate illiteracy among peoples of all ages and all origins, manages public education in Liberia, including full supervision of all public schools and all private schools and institutions of higher learning to the extent provided by law and permitted by their charters; informed the president and the public concerning the condition and operation of all schools and educational institutions, public and private, and of the general state of education in Liberia. MoE plans for, and to the fullest extent possible establishes a modern, sound, nationwide educational system; administers funds appropriated by the Government for financial assistance to individual students for study at home and abroad; and to the extent authorized by the Legislature, MoE shall oversee the establishment of public libraries accessible to the people of all areas of Liberia.
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Ministry of State

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Function: MSPA follows through and coordinates all decisions of the Chief Executive; organizes, as the President shall direct, Cabinet Meetings and maintains of all records of such meetings; exercises such operational authority, intrinsic to his office, as the President may from time to time direct; and performs such other duties as may be assigned by the President.
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Ministry of Agriculture

Creation: 1972
Name:
Former Name: Department of Agriculture
Function: The 1972 Legislative Act repealed the 1964 law created to create the Ministry of Agriculture. It was called the Department of Agriculture (DOA). The Ministry of Agriculture is charged with achieving self-sufficiency in food production, increasing the country’s ability to earn and conserve foreign exchange, increasing farmers’ income, and bringing them out of subsistence farming. It also has the mandate to develop the agriculture sector and implement an effective organizational structure capable of planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating agricultural development programs. It also ensures that its staff and the farmers are trained to cope with developing the agriculture sector. Other functions include the dissemination of useful information on agricultural subjects to farmers and the public in general; a collection of data and statistics concerning the condition, prospect, harvesting, and marketing of the principal crops and forest products; overseeing the conservation and judicious use of the soil, the forests, and the fish and wildlife resources of the nation; improvement of the economic well being and general welfare of the farmer; setting the standards for agricultural products; supervision of the extension of credit to farmers by any public agencies created for that purpose; administration of all laws relative to agricultural subjects or rural improvement, including regulatory rules designed to protect the farmer or agricultural means of production or farm commodities.
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Ministry of Health & Social Welfare

Creation: 1972
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Function: The Ministry formulates, implements and monitors and evaluates health policies and standards; Prevents the spread of communicable, infectious, and preventable diseases within the Republic; Provides medical care and treatment through public hospitals, clinics, mental institutions and rehabilitation centers for alcoholics and narcotic addicts; issues licenses and supervises medical practitioners and facilities; promotes and conduct of research in the prevention and – treatment of human diseases and the collects and compiles pertinent statistical data; oversee the collection of data relating to births, deaths, and burials; supervises and regulate the sanitary aspects of hotels, boarding houses, public eating and drinking establishments, bathing establishments, and other businesses and activities affecting public health; supervises the distribution of all relief and welfare funds granted by the Government to the needy and underprivileged; To the extent provided by law, oversees the care of juvenile delinquencies and homeless children in foster homes, hostels, and vocational institutions; promotes research, experiments, investigation and studies in the development of scientific methods for the diagnosis and prevention of social problems; offers assistance in the management of charitable organizations established within the Republic to provide maximum benefit to the public. It also performs such other functions as may from time to time be assigned by the President.
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Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Creation: 1987
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Function: Formulates and implements policies and strategies aimed at promoting investment, commerce, small business development, consumer protection, and fair trading in the domestic market; establishes and regulates commodity and trade standards; collects, evaluates, and publishes data about commerce and industry; shows and enforces rules of business practices; promotes the sound development of foreign and domestic trade; develops plans for the movements of goods and people within and without the Republic; conducts the registration of business enterprises, and performs such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the President.
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Ministry of Lands Mines & Energy

Creation: 1972
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Function: Ensures the management of lands, mines, and energy resources for the socio-economic development and equitable growth of Liberia; under applicable regulations, reviews, and in the proper cases grants or denies, applications for prospecting, exploration, and mining rights except for concessions; collects and distributes information about the mineral and water resources of the nation; conducts research and investigation in geology and related fields for new sources of supply and evolution of mineral resources and prepare topographic and geologic maps; promotes safety in mineral industries, investigates problems of mining and the preparation and utilization of minerals; and control the use of mineral resources according to approved; approves or denies applications for permission to prospect, mines, purchases, sales, imports, exports or otherwise deals in diamonds by the provisions of Chapter 6-A of the Natural Resources Law; With the approval of the President, request the participation of experts in any matter which may be deemed necessary or appropriate for the more efficient solution of things submitted to the Ministry; suspends operations of mining concessionaires for violations of the Mining Law or regulations issued thereunder and to impose fines on such concessionaires; authorizes the abandonment of a claim or concession at the request of the concessionaire, or to order cancellation on a ground stated in section 176 of the Natural Resources Law; proposes to the President the tariffs relating to mineral substances, except diamonds; and performs such other functions as may from time to time be assigned by the President; coordinates the exploration, exploitation and production of hydrocarbon activities in Liberia; supervises, organizes and conduct research in developing conventional alternatives, new or renewable energy sources. The Ministry also promulgates all regulations affecting lands, mines and energy in Liberia; monitors compliance with, as well as enforce, all laws and regulations affecting lands, mines and energy; formulates, in conjunction with relevant ministries and agencies, and in accordance with prevailing conditions and national requirements, a comprehensive national energy policy for submission to the Government of Liberia.
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Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications

Creation: 1978
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Function: The Ministry was created by an Act of the National Legislature in September 1978 to administers postal and telecommunications services throughout Liberia and provides administrative guidelines for postal and telecommunication facilities that operate in the country. The Ministry is mandated by law to ensure the unhindered movement of mail and formulate appropriate policies which will access affordable information communications technology (IT) across the length and breadth of Liberia, ascertains and states in the annual report to the Legislature the revenues derived from and the cost of carrying and handling the several classes of mail matter and performing special services; and issues appropriate stamps in such denominations, form and design, and at such times as he deems necessary for use in payment of postage or fees for special services. MoPT also maintains and improves the postal service system of the Republic of Liberia.
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Ministry of Public Works

Creation: 1928
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Function: The National Legislature created the Ministry of Public Works (MPW in 1928. In 2008 by an Act of Legislature, National Legislature dissolved the Ministry of Rural Development and urban reconstruction and merged into the Ministry of Public Works. The Ministry performs the following responsibilities: drafting and designing constructions, planning and constructing public infrastructures; supervising construction contracts implementation, maintaining roads, bridges, and public buildings; enforces constriction standards for non-governmental buildings; Administer the law about the issuance of licenses to electricians, plumbers and any other persons who are required by law to obtain permits from this Ministry to carry on their occupations, among others
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Ministry of Labor

Creation: 1981
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Function: The Ministry regulates and promotes industrial relations between employees and employers, provides employment services, enhances private sector productivity. The Ministry provides for the classification, registration of tradespeople and artisans and promotes the rights of employees and management. It also creates a conducive working environment within the industrial sectors.
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Ministry of Transport

Creation: 1987
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Function: Implements transport law, insurance law, and maritime law, and to plan and execute policies relating modes of land, rail, sea, and air transport services. It exercises power to relating to marine administration; administers and implements the Transportation Law, the Insurance Law, and the Maritime Law, and to plan and execute policies relating to all modes of land, rail, sea and air transport; services within the Republic of Liberia and abroad; represents the Government’s interest in all negotiations in connection with Government participation in shipping and to serve the Government’s interest in international shipping and maritime conferences; collects, collates, evaluates and periodically publish such data relating to land, rail, sea and air transport services as well as insurance, as well as the maintenance of meteorological services; establishes rules and procedures and enforce standards for transport services of private and public common carriers of whatever nature and, in general, to develop, regulate, control and monitor vehicles, boats, ships, fishing vessels, railroads, aviation, ferries, canoes, rural and urban mass transit, and the inspection and safety of highways, the seas, railroads and civil aviation. The Ministry also establishes and implements the overall transportation policy of the Republic and develop plans for the movements of goods and people within and without the Republic; regulates the use of inland waterways and rivers, ships flying the Liberian flag in domestic and foreign commerce, as well as all modes of watercraft for civil transport and regulates the use of ports and harbors, local airports and vehicle parking lots as they affect shipping, civil aviation, and motor and rail transport.
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Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection

Creation: 2001
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Function: The Mandate of the Ministry is promoting the development, empowerment, and protection of women, girls, and children, as well as the welfare and integration of persons with disabilities, the vulnerable, extremely poor, excluded, and disadvantaged. Significantly, the Ministry will initiate, develop and implement and coordinate policies and programs aimed at women, girls, and children, as well as those physically challenged, marginalized, disadvantaged, and excluded, to ensure that their rights are protected and integrated and beneficial. The Ministry advises the government on matters that impact the development and welfare of women and children. The Ministry is mandated to advise the Government on all issues affecting the development and welfare of women and children and any other matters referred to it.
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Ministry of Information, Culture, & Tourism

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It develops and disseminates information about the government both at home and abroad, promoting culture and tourism via media and institutions such as the National Museum, the custodian of Historical Artifacts, and cultural villages and historic Providence Island.
Maintain close contacts with all Ministries and agencies of Government, and all national and private institutions and organizations for the purpose of gaining information and keeping the public informed of federal programs, projects and developments; counter unfavorable propaganda by disseminating a wide range of informative material that presents an accurate picture of Liberia’s national image, its aims and aspirations, policies, programs, institutions and progress to a worldwide audience; maintains contacts with Liberian diplomatic and consular missions abroad; organize regional information centers in Liberia, and plan, promote, coordinate, supervise and direct information programs and projects for these missions centers in pursuance of Liberia’s national and international objectives; organizes, fosters and encourages a tourist industry for which purpose he shall inquire into, collect and publicize all information about historical sites, landmarks, and places of natural scenic beauties, wherever found throughout the country, to be developed as tourist attractions; provides efficient administration, direction and coordination for the activities of the National Tourism Board and the National Picture and Television Review and issue regulations governing the establishment and operation of all cinema houses in Liberia; organizes, supervises and encourages the mass production, improvement and popularization of Liberia’s indigenous arts and handicrafts; establish, operate and maintain a National Cultural Center and an Ethnographic Museum; and plan and execute programs for the preservation of the folklore, mores and indigenous culture of the nation.

 

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Ministry of Youth & Sports

Creation:
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Function: The functions of the Ministry shall include the direction of the affairs of youths of the nation to enable them to most effectively discharge their responsibilities as valuable citizens of the Republic and promote, control, and direct all programs and activities relating to Sports. To the achievement of these objectives, it shall: Develop the social and national consciousness of Liberian youths, male and female, and educate them to be ready morally and physically to answer the call of their country; Initiate and develop plans and provide means and facilities to enable the youths of Liberia to perform public service to fulfill current needs; Work with, and coordinate youth activities in all Liberian youth organizations in the interest of national consciousness; Establish, maintain, and supervise the activities of the Liberian National Youth Organization according to the following aims: Training aimed at raising civic awareness and increasing personal initiative; Education aimed at training for constructive work; Training to aid the unification process of the nation; Training to inculcate loyalty to the country; Training to promote social and economic development and to raise the standard of living; Education to aid in professional training for youth; Training to develop a sense of responsibility and duty; and Training to improve physical fitness. Subject to the approval of the President, promulgate rules and regulations governing all sports and sports events; Administer all laws relating to the licensing of sports organizations; Certify the qualification of all referees and umpires for public sports events; Manage and control stadiums and playgrounds; Issue and sell tickets for sports events; Regulate the payment of a fair share of the gate receipts to the members of a team or individual contestant in a professional athletic match or sports event; Provide and supervise all youth apprenticeship and vocational training in agriculture, business, industry, and sports in the Republic; and Perform such other functions as may from time to time be assigned by the President.

 

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Water and Sewer Corporation

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The Corporation is empowered to construct, install, establish, operate, manage and supply to all parts of Liberia safe drinking water and perform all sewerage services, as well as to maintain such water and sewerage facilities; To engage in the management, development, construction, installation, manufacture, operation, transmission, distribution, sale and supply to all areas of water and sewage services and of equipment and facilities related to it.

To establish and maintain water and sewer facilities, offices and agencies within and everywhere inside Liberia; and to exercise any or all of its corporate powers and rights in Liberia and in any foreign or countries, if need be; determines fair and reasonable rates, fees, and charges which shall be charged in connection with the provision of water and sewage services; manufactures, import, buy, sell, install, collect, generally deal in water and sewage services and to manufacture, buy, sell and trade in all materials used in connection with the aforesaid services; applies for, purchase, or by other means, acquire, hold, sell, assign, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of and protect, and prolong and renew whether in the Republic of Liberia or elsewhere any patents, patent rights, licenses, protections, concessions, trade marks and trade names and to use and turn account and to manufacture under grant of license and to experiment upon and test and improve or seek to improve any patents, inventions, or rights which the corporation may acquire or propose to acquire.

The Corporation also acquires, builds, operates, and disposes of all necessary, convenient lands, buildings, structures, machinery, reservoirs, water towers, and all other things and devices incidental to the purposes of the corporation; engages in and conduct studies and experiments to improve the suitability of water and sewer facilities and implements to local conditions; borrows or raises money for any purpose of the corporation, and acquire and dispense with same upon such terms and conditions, and or such considerations as the Board of the corporation shall determine to be reasonable through purchase, exchange, discount, rediscount, public or private sale, negotiation, assignment, the exercise of option or conversion of rights or otherwise, for cash or credit, with or without tangibles or intangibles, including but not limited to, mortgage, bonds, debentures.

 

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Liberia Electricity Corporation

Creation: 1973
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Function: To increase reliable access to affordable electricity throughout the country in the quickest, most prudent, and sustainable manner possible. The Liberia Electricity Corporation, LEC is a public utility entity created in 1973 by the Government of the Republic of Liberia through an act of Legislature with a mandate to ensure that efficient, reliable. Affordable electric power is available to meet the increasing demand for electric energy in Liberia and serve as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
The Civil War destroyed the remainder of Liberia’s electricity infrastructure. Efforts have been underway since 2006 to restore the Monrovia grid, expand the mini-grid, and expand stand-alone power systems in the interior.

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National Port authority

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Liberia Petroleum Refining

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THE NATIONAL HOUSING AND SAVINGS BANK

The object and purpose of the Bank shall be to provide the funding required to satisfy the housing needs of the citizens of Liberia, including the making of long term loans for homeownership. Housing as used in this paragraph shall include single and multiple family dwelling units intended for purchase and occupancy, realty development, infrastructure including utilities, and community facilities incident to sound community development.

THE LIBERIAN BANK FOR DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT

To assist in the establishment, expansion, and the modernization of productive private business and industrial enterprises in Liberia; to encourage and promote the development of internal and external private and public capital availabilities in the financing of such enterprises; to help, sponsor and facilitate the private establishment, acquisition, or ownership of a productive business and industrial investment, shares and securities and in particular by: providing finance in the form of long or medium-term loans, purchase of convertible debentures, or share participation; Guaranteeing and counter-guaranteeing loans and obligations of borrowers and others, and underwriting issues of shares and securities of all kinds; Making funds available for reinvesting by causing transfers of stocks and protection, and by revolving investments, as rapidly as prudent; Furnishing technical advice and assistance on the formulation, financing and execution of development plans and projects including the furnishing of professional and administrative information and services to Liberian enterprises; Investigating, carefully selecting, determining the size and character of the market for, and the technical feasibility and economic soundness of, documenting, promoting and advertising, and otherwise publicizing at home and abroad, add advising the Government concerning projects for private industrial enterprises in Liberia; and, for this purpose, to employ consultants and independent research organizations and enter into agreements with other national or international institutions, either public or private; and Establishing, in conjunction with the Government and with other appropriate agencies, priorities for productive businesses and industrial enterprises to receive development assistance according to the extent to which they utilize resources or possess other economic advantages.
To assist in the establishment, expansion, and the modernization of productive public business and industrial enterprises in Liberia, provided they are commercially operated and preferably under private management, and also provided the aggregate amount of the Bank’s financing of such an enterprise does not at any time exceed thirty (30%) percent of the aggregate of the Bank’s total cumulative commitments at the time of such financing.

INTERNAL AUDIT AGENCY

The Internal Audit Agency was established by an Act of the National Legislature on September 13, 2013, with a mandate to develop and direct internal audit functions within all branches of government as well as within all public sector entities such as public corporations, independent commission, government ministries and the central bank of Liberia. Promulgate and ensure that common internal audit standards and systems with best practices are established and maintained. Provide oversight, including managerial, administrative, and supervisory expertise at each of the established audit functions. Ensure that the ethics of internal audits according to internationally accepted standards are strictly adhered to and followed. These shall be, but not limited to, competence, integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.

PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE PAYROLL AUDIT

Conducted a comprehensive and independent audit exercise of the Liberia Electricity Corporation Expand internal audit functions to four counties as part of the county treasury operation, with the deployment of eight (8) auditors, two to each of the four piloted counties ( Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, and Nimba Counties); Conducted payroll verification of the Ministry of Health to independently verify the information given by USAID to the Government of Liberia on healthcare employees of the Ministry of Health who are being paid by direct deposit; Conducted a system audit of the Bong County Technical College on its construction, finances, and administration; and Conducted system and IT audit of the Liberia Electricity Corporation

AGRICULTURAL AND COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT BANK

The purposes of the Bank shall be:

To provide financing in short, medium, and long-term loans to individuals, farmers’ cooperatives, or farmers’ organizations to facilitate the establishment of agricultural enterprises and the development of rural industries in Liberia.
To encourage and promote the development of cooperatives, farmers’ organizations, cottage industries as well as mobilize savings in the rural areas;
To provide credit and such other facilities as shall be conducive to the development of training in the rural agricultural economy;
To render technical advice and assistance to individuals, farmers cooperatives, and farmers’ organizations, conduct research on agricultural credit, marketing or farming products and cooperative societies engaged in agriculture, provide training facilities for farmers and co-operatives and assist in the promotional work in organizing and establishing co-operative societies.

CIVIL SERVICE AGENCY

An Act of the National Legislature created the Civil Service Agency (CSA) in 1973. CSA manages the human resources of the Civil Service and is responsible for improving personnel services delivery and efficiency through planning human capacity needs of the service, selection, and recruitment of staff, training development, performance management, and career development, including placement, rotation, and promotion. The purpose of the Civil Service Agency is to increase the Public Service’s efficiency and secure for deserving employees a reasonable tenure of office and an opportunity for advancement according to merit and seniority and place the personnel employed by Government on a competitive merit system. The Agency recruits, examines, classifies, certifies, and places all Civil Servants; keeps an accurate and up-to-date record of every individual employed in the Civil Service system; establishes, with the approval of the President, a classification plan by the provisions of this Act based on the duties, responsibilities, and nature of work in the Government Service, and to ensure the continued maintenance and administration of the classification plan. The Agency also issues, with the approval of the President, rules, and regulations setting forth the conditions of employment for all Civil Servants; protects the interests and rights of Civil Servants through the objective administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Act and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; formulates and establishes effective liaison between the Civil Service and the National Social Security Agency; maintains a record of all Personnel Action Notices of all Civil Servants to ensure that the person so employed is a classified Civil Servant; establishes and maintains Eligibility Lists of all Civil Servants and conducts research and studies designed to improve the Service.

INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

A Liberian Legislative Act created the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA) in 1969. The Institute is mandated to produce viable organizational capabilities through training, consultancy, and research to improve service delivery in the public sector.
The Institute shall have power to:

(a) organize and conduct conferences and discussions for opinions and views on the critical issues in the public service of the Government of Liberia, and (b) in the performance of its functions to solicit and receive assistance from any Ministry or Agency or Government official or an employee or another party.
The Institute shall be primarily concerned with improving the organizational performance and professional capabilities of the Government public service through training of personnel, research in problems of public administration, and consultation in public administration, for maximum utilization, the potential sources of talent of the workforce the Country.
The functions and duties of the Institute shall include but not be limited to: Operating training programs for public servants in all its forms (pre-entry service training, in-service training, initial postentry service training, on-the-job training, etc.) including the provision for the essential academic background; such training programs shall cover the whole range of Government positions, and shall extend, in particular, to: Organizing a broad-based top-to-bottom in-service training program for Government employees; Developing training programs for middle grade and upper-level employees; Creating and improving the capability needed for administering economic and social development programs; Enunciating a career-development program by identifying specific career ladders, encouraging in-service training, management interns and executive development programs, and promotional programs based on merit, etc.; Providing leadership and guidance to the agencies of Government in developing more and better quality on-the-job training programs, serving as a research study group to study particular governmental organizational and management problem areas; Researching and reviewing the indigenous situations and practices which affect social, economic and administrative development in Liberia; Performing studies of systems and procedure and assisting in making improvements (a) government-wide, (b) inter-departmental in such matters as record-keeping, forms control, document flow, work simplification, public relations, and improving the administrative inter-relationships with national and international technical cooperation bodies; Carrying on research in administration to provide adequate, systematic and precise information in critical areas of Government for planning and administration with the overall view towards improvement; Development of a library suitable for the needs of the research program and the use of public officers; Performing such other functions as may be prescribed by the President, by the general policy of Government and the intent and purpose of this act.

LIBERIA INSTITUTE OF STATISTICS & GEO-INFORMATION SERVICES

The Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) was established by an act of the National Legislature on July 22, 2004, with the mandate to serve as the prime authoritative agency of the Government responsible for collecting, managing, evaluating, and disseminating statistical and associated geo-information for national socio-economic reconstruction and development. Continue to pursue the primary responsibilities of collecting, organizing, evaluating, and publishing statistical and associated geoinformation for policy decision-making purposes and national socioeconomic and reconstruction

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Liberia (FIU) was established as an autonomous agency of Liberia by an Act of the National Legislature in 2012. The FIU is the central national agency of Liberia responsible for receiving, requesting, and conducting preliminary investigations, analyzing, and disseminating information concerning suspected proceeds of money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

LIBERIA EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE

An Act of the National legislature established the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in July 2009 as an autonomous agency mandated to assist in ensuring that all benefits due to the government on account of exploitation and extraction of the country’s minerals and other resources verifiably paid or provided, are duly accounted for and are prudently utilized for the benefit of the Liberians based on equity and sustainability.

NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE

The Director shall perform the following duties in addition to supervising all activities of the Institute:
He shall be the chairman of all group and subgroup meetings of the scientists employed by the Institute; With the approval of the trustees of the University, he shall solicit the employment of and hire scientists to undertake research studies for the Institute; He shall coordinate the activities of the different fields of applied sciences within the Institute?’

The purposes and powers of the Institute shall be as follows: To devote its operations to basic scientific research; To collect from existing organs of Government, or acquire through study or otherwise, specialized scientific studies and coordinate the same; To send, during the embryonic stage of its development, qualified nationals of Liberia to the institutions of foreign nations where scientific research is carried out on a broad scope, to observe the methods of organization of such institutions;

To do basic research concerning the determination of such scientific standards as apply to conditions that exist within the Republic and establish standards for use within the Republic; To carry on research relating to nuclear and thermonuclear energy for devising means of increasing the economic power of the nation; To research in the field of geophysics and geochemistry. Institute will hire expatriate scientists from any country, provided, however, that the no-Liberian scientists agree to the following conditions: To give scientific loyalty to their employer, the Institute; To accept as total compensation for their inventions during their employment at the Institute the salaries agreed to be paid to them and to permit all patents and trademarks granted in connection with such innovations to be owned by and bear the name of the Republic.

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY

The National Security Agency derives its authority from the National Security and Intelligence Act of 2011, which, among other things, mandates the agency to collect intelligence and information relating to capabilities, intentions, and activities of foreign powers, organizations, and persons.

EXECUTIVE PROTECTION SERVICES

The Revised National Security Act of 2011 created the Executive Protection Service, absorbing the mandate of the Special Security Service, which is to provide maximum security protection to the President, Vice President and their immediate families, designated officials of government, dignitaries, and visiting guests of the Presidency.

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

According to Article III of the INCHR (2005) Act titled Powers of the Commission, the INCHR has general and special competence to protect, promote and monitor human rights in the Republic of Liberia, to monitor Liberia’s adherence and commitment to the international conventions and protocols, write reports and make recommendations to the government., The Truth and Reconciliation. The INCHR has the mandate to develop relations with the nongovernmental organizations devoted to protecting and promoting human rights, economic and social development, combat ethnic discrimination and sectionalism, and protect particularly vulnerable groups such as children, women, refugees, and physically and mentally impaired persons.

Liberia Freezone Authority

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Land Commission

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Function: An Act of the National Legislature created the Land Commission on August 4, 2009, to propose, advocate, and coordinate reforms of land policy, laws, and programs in Liberia.
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Millennium Challenge Account

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Function: In October 2015, the United States of America government provided a grant of $257M to Liberia through its development agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), to address the lack of access to reliable and affordable electricity inadequate road infrastructure.
The MCC compact is a Liberia-U.S. partnership to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. MCC awards compact grants to countries that pass at least 10 of its 20 governance indicators, including control of corruption. The Millennium Challenge Account Liberia is an independent, legal, and autonomous agency of the Government of Liberia created by the legislature to administer the compact projects.

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Liberia Investment Commission

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Function: The LNIC is a member of the Liberia Better Business Forum, which creates an investment environment that makes it easy and predictable to do business in Liberia.

The Liberia National Investment Commission (LNIC) is the Government of Liberia’s agency that attracts foreign direct investments (FDI) and supports the growth of the domestic private sector while advocating for the improvement of the business environment. The Commission formulates and implements several measures geared towards the actualization of this mandate.

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Forestry Development Authority

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Function: The Forestry Development Authority is a state corporation established by an Act of the Legislature in 1976 with the mandate of ensuring the sustainable management and conservation of Liberia’s forest and related natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. The 2006 National Forestry Reform Law is the current legal instrument that guides the management of forest resources in Liberia.
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Liberia Revenue Authority

The Liberia Revenue Authority was established by an Act of the National Legislature in 2013 with the mandate to transparently, equitably, and fairly administer the assessment and collection of revenues, account for all payments to which the revenue laws apply, and deposit all amounts assessed and collected into the Consolidated Fund and ensure compliance with the Code and regulations.

Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the regulatory Institution of the Government of Liberia for the sustainable management of the environment and its natural resources. The Agency was established by an act of the Legislature on November 26, 2002, and published into handbill on April 30, 2003.
The NEP seeks to harmonize cross-cutting functions between and amongst agencies. The NEP wants to ensure the long-term economic prosperity of Liberia through sustainable social and economic development of the generation without endangering the potential of future production. The objective of the NEP is to improve the physical environment, the quality of life, and the improvement of economic and social living conditions of the citizenry present and future generations.

MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

Duties of heads of executive agencies. Maintain adequate inventory controls and accountability systems for the property under his control;
Continuously survey property under his command to determine which is excess property, and promptly report such property to
Transfer or dispose of surplus property as quickly as possible by authority delegated and regulations prescribed by the Director-General.
The agency shall, among other things,
Make reassignments of property among activities within the agency when such property is determined to be no longer required for the appropriation from which it was purchased
(Transfer excess property under his control to other Government agencies; and
Obtain excess property from other Government agencies, which will be helpful in its activities.
Regulations governing reporting of transfers. The Director of the Budget shall prescribe rules providing for the reporting to said director by executive Agencies of such reassignments or transfers of property between activities financed by different appropriations as he shall deem appropriate, and the reassignments and transfers so reported shall be reported to the Legislature in the annual budget or otherwise as of said Director might determine.

MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RECORDS

Duties of agency heads as to records management.

Preserve public records
Establish and maintain an active, continuing program for the economical and efficient management of the agency’s records. Such application shall, among other things, provide for:
Adequate controls over the creation, maintenance, and use of files in the conduct of current business; Cooperation with the Director in applying standards, procedures, and techniques designed to improve management of documents, promote the maintenance and security of records deemed appropriate for preservation, and facilitate the segregation and disposal of records temporary value; and Compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
Whenever the head of a Government agency determines that substantial economies or increased efficiency can be affected thereby, he shall provide for the storage, processing, and servicing of records that are appropriate therefore in a records center maintained and operated by the Director or, when approved by the Director, in a records center operated by the head of such Government agency.
Safeguards against loss of records. The head of each Government agency shall establish such safeguards against the removal or loss of papers as he shall determine to be necessary and as may be required by regulations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Such safeguards shall include making it known to all officials and employees of the agency (a) that no records in the custody of the agency are to be alienated or destroyed except by the provisions of section 81.8 of this title and the penalties provided by law for the unlawful removal or destruction of records.
Duty in case of unlawful removal or destruction of records. The head of each Government agency shall notify the Director of any actual impending, or threatened illegal removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of files in the custody of the agency of which he is the head that shall come to his attention, and with the assistance of the Director shall initiate action through the Minister of Justice for the recovery of records he knows or has reason to believe have been unlawfully removed from his agency

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE ACT

Powers of presiding officers. Any officer or officers presiding at a hearing shall have authority, subject to provisions of law to the contrary, to

Administer oaths and affirmations,
Issue subpoenas authorized by law,
Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence,
Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties,
Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters,
Make decisions or recommend decisions in conformity with section 82.5 of this title, and
Take any other action authorized by agency rule consistent with this • chapter.
Evidence. Except as statutes otherwise provide, the proponent of an order has the burden of proof. Any oral or documentary evidence may be received, but every agency shall provide for the exclusion of irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence as a matter of policy. Agencies shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law. Documentary evidence may be received in copies or excerpts if the original is not readily available.
Official notice. Notice may be taken of judicially cognizable facts. Besides, information may be taken of generally recognized technical or scientific facts within the agency’s specialized knowledge.
Conduct of officials. The same officers who preside at the reception of evidence shall make the initial determination required by section 82.5 of this title except where such officers become unavailable to the agency. Except to the extent necessary for the disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law, no such officer shall consult any person or party on any fact in issue unless upon notice and opportunity to all parties to participate; nor shall such officer be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of any officer, employee or agent engaged in the investigative or prosecuting functions for any agency. No officer, employee, or agent involved in the performance of investigative or prosecuting functions for any agency, in any case, shall, in that or a factually related topic, participate or advise in the determination, recommended determination, or agency review under section 82.5 of this title, except as witness or counsel in public proceedings.

COLLECTION OF INFORMATION

Power of Government Agency to collect information and ensures the freedom of information. Penalty for refusal to cooperate. The head of every agency of the Executive Branch of the Government is at this moment authorized to request, demand, and collect from any person, natural or legal residing within the Republic of Liberia, or from the head of any other agency of the Government all information necessary to enable it effectively to carry out its lawful functions. Any person, including any officer or employee of the Government, who refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by an authorized officer or employee of the Government, to answer truthfully and to the best of his knowledge any question addressed to him or to furnish any information which is reasonably within his power to provide and which it is not contrary to the public interest to disclose, is subject to a fine of not more than $200 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both. Still, under the provisions of this section, no person shall be required to answer any question or furnish any information that would tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. Any person who willfully provides false or inaccurate information to an officer or employee of the Government empowered to collect such information is subject to a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

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