Monrovia, Liberia — The future of Liberia’s youth hangs in the balance as the House of Representatives grapples with a national emergency rooted in extreme poverty. A critical piece of legislation, the $12 billion Green Economy Bill, remains stalled due to a rift between key lawmakers, Fonati Koffa and Nyahn Garsaye Flomo, and the Law Reform Commission Chairman, Cllr. Boakai Kanneh.
Despite gathering over 10,000 signatures from concerned young citizens advocating for the bill, Cllr. Kanneh has expressed reluctance to advance the legislation. He stated that even if he supports the concept, he will not move forward until all pending bills from the executive branch and ministries are addressed. This delay is particularly troubling given that the Youth Empowering Legislative Law (YELL) is the only NGO-sponsored bill backed by the private sector aimed at empowering young Liberians.
The Green Economy Bill proposes the issuance of a $12 billion Sovereign Green Bond to finance initiatives that directly benefit Liberians aged 18 to 38. Key provisions of the bill include:
•Creation of 45,000 trainee jobs across 12 economic sectors, offering $350 monthly stipends for four years.
•Establishment of 20,000 lines of credit, each worth $10,000, to promote the purchase of Liberian-made green products.
•Allocation of $1.5 billion across five sectors for essential services, including health, housing, education, green energy, and agri-manufacturing, particularly in the rubber industry.
•A commitment to 7% of local government appropriations to support 15 counties in repaying the bond.
•Formation of three Liberian employee-owned companies, each receiving $1 billion for agri-manufacturing, mining, and green energy manufacturing, with a 30-year repayment plan for the bond.
Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the enforcement of the Liberalization Act and the introduction of mineral banking through digital gold currency.
In response to the ongoing delays, YELL has launched the “Arrest Poverty Now” campaign, calling for immediate legislative action. The youth organization warns that if necessary steps are not taken, they may pursue a Generation Z class action suit against the legislature. This legal action would seek to ensure that Liberia’s abundant resources are utilized to benefit its citizens, driven by private sector policies supported by NGOs and civil society.
