– As It also scrutinizes a proposed law to safeguard individual privacy
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated its relevant committees on Health and Commerce to review two separate International Protocols on illegal tobacco trade production and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The Protocols were submitted to the Legislature for ratification by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Republic of Liberia on Tuesday, during the 9th day sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature.
The Protocols include the Protocol To Eliminate Illicit Trade In Tobacco Production on the one hand, and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
The House of Representatives has now directed its joint committee on Health and Commerce to thoroughly review the instruments and provide recommendations within two weeks. The Joint Committee Members are expected to assess the national implications, enforcement mechanisms, and alignment with Liberia’s existing legal framework before making a final decision on ratification.
Meanwhile, Members of the House of Representatives have instructed the Committee on Post and Telecommunication to scrutinize a proposed law intended to safeguard individual privacy and ensure responsible data handling. The House Plenary decision was taken on Tuesday, 10 June during the 9th day sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the 55th Legislature.
The Bill titled “An Act For The Collection, Processing, Transmission, Storage, Protection, and Use of Personal Information In Liberia” was submitted to the Legislature by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the Republic of Liberia. “The Bill seeks to govern the processing of all forms of personal information by both individuals and entities handling the personal data of residents in Liberia, the ECOWAS Region, or beyond, including data controllers and processors.” Pres. Boakai asserted in his communication.
When enacted by the Legislature, the law will also establish a robust legal framework to safeguard personal data privacy, covering its collection, processing, transmission, storage, and usage and at the same time respecting the broader interest of the individual and state. Following the reading and debate on the instrument, the Plenary unanimously voted to forward the Bill to the Committee on Post and Telecommunications to review and advise the full body within two weeks.
Also on Tuesday, the Honorable House of Representatives (HOR) officially passed three bills aimed at enhancing local governance and development in Sinoe County, Liberia.
Plenary decided its 9th Day Sitting of the 2nd Quarter of the 2nd Session of the Honorable House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
A release issued by the House’s Press Bureau states that the decision followed thorough consideration of the legal requirements outlined in the Local Government Act, including population benchmarks and the availability of essential social services such as educational facilities. The statement adds that each of the newly designated areas has demonstrated its potential to contribute meaningfully to poverty alleviation, job creation, economic growth, and social development.
It can be recalled that the bills, submitted by Sinoe County District 1 Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh, sought to establish Seebeh Township within the Commonwealth District of Greenville, Grisby Farm City within Butaw Administrative District, and Numonpoh Statutory District within Sinoe County.
The statement further states that the passage of the bills underscores the august body’s commitment to decentralized governance and equitable development across the country.
