Office of Hon. Anthony F. Williams

21/12/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Abou Fofana, Oretale Wteh, Peterline Wesseh, Olando Chea, Austin Philip Kudah Gee, Charlotte Swen, Starking Weah Sompon, Amego Toee, Amosjurry Freeman, Abigail K. Dickson, Siaffa M Taylor, A Wellington Y Waylee, Mohamed M. Pabai, Joseph T. Weah, Natkollie Freeman

03/10/2024

Press Release

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐅. 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞-𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 (𝐑𝐀𝐈) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

Margibi, Liberia – October 3, 2024: Honorable Anthony F. Williams, the focal person on aquaculture and a member of the House’s Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries is participating in a two-day knowledge-sharing session organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The event, held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi, aimed to underscore the importance of responsible investment in agriculture and food systems, which is crucial for enhancing food security and nutrition and supporting the progressive realization of the right to adequate food within the context of national food security.


The session highlights that responsible investment plays a pivotal role in improving sustainable livelihoods, particularly for smallholders and members of marginalized and vulnerable groups. It also contributes to creating decent work for all agricultural and food workers, eradicating poverty, fostering social and gender equality, eliminating the worst forms of child labor, promoting social participation and inclusiveness, and increasing economic growth, thereby achieving sustainable development.

The statement from the Pleebbo Sodoken District #2 in Maryland County indicates that the two-day session will address the four dimensions of food security and nutrition: availability, access, stability, and utilization. This initiative calls for a substantial increase in responsible agriculture and food systems investments.
Honorable Williams emphasizes the importance of these discussions, stating, "Responsible investment in agriculture and food systems is essential for the sustainable development of our nation. We must continue to support initiatives that enhance food security and nutrition, promote social and gender equality, and foster economic growth."

The knowledge-sharing event is providing a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas and best practices, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities in agriculture and food systems in Liberia.

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17/08/2024

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐛𝐨 𝐒𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝟐 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐅. 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬, 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬.

Following a letter from Representative Anthony F. Williams dated June 18, 2024 (Ref: AFW/HOR/D-2/Maryland Co./C-035/24), the House Committee on Security and National Defense has commenced hearings on the situation uncovered by the Pleebo Sodoken lawmaker, who is also the co-chair on the Committee for Refuge, Repatriation, Reintegration, and Resettlement (LRRRC).

Hon. Williams, in a letter to the plenary, stated that a joint assessment mission carried out in June 2024 by the Liberian government, through the House's Committee on LRRR, the LRRRC Executive Director and team, the Liberia Immigration Service (LIS), and UNHCR-Liberia, confirmed the presence of over 60,000 undocumented or unprofiled Burkinabe nationals across various counties, especially in the southeastern counties of Nimba, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Kru, and Maryland.

Hon. Williams addressed the plenary, communicating the social, economic, political, environmental, and cultural consequences of the Burkinabe Nationals' presence. He discussed Social Protection, Human Rights, and Safety Nets for Women and Children in border communities, the Political and Foreign Implications, and the documentation processes of Community and Local governments for ensuring security and stability.

In furtherance, Hon. Williams pointed out some threats concerning environmental, Ecological, and Conservation setbacks and challenges for forested communities relative to the activities of the Burkinabes. In the hearing, Hon. Williams asked the LIS to work with the LRRRC to create awareness and sensitization, and subsequently commence the immediate registration and profiling of illegal Burkinabes and other illegal nationals within the bailiwick of Liberia.

It has been confirmed through statements from multiple security stakeholders during the hearing that resident communities, particularly in the southeast region, have lodged numerous complaints about the unauthorized entry of Burkinabes into Liberia, which has escalated concerns over national security protection among the citizens in the vicinity.

01/07/2024

Honorable Anthony F. Williams is Honored and Celebrated by Maryland Residents

[June 29, 2024; Monrovia]: Numerous Marylanders, united under the Nyanbo Development Association (NDA), which includes youth, women, elders, and other key stakeholders from Maryland County, recently celebrated a significant event. They honored Honorable Anthony F. Williams, metaphorically known as "David," for his victory in the 2023 democratic elections that ended at Old Sodoken rerun. Williams, who overcame an opponent with an 18-year tenure in the position of sitting speaker of the 54th National Legislature, was traditionally recognized by his community for his election win and the remarkable leadership and developmental initiatives he has introduced in a short time.

The group outlined the donation and maintenance of a brand new Landcruiser ambulance to the Pleebo Health Center, the construction of comparatively modern spacious annexes to the Pleebo General market, advocacy for the increment in the budget to construct the Pleebo Technical College, the establishment of the first-ever District Development Council and ensuring that local appointments are reflective of the true sons and daughter of the district are some of the reasons that prompted NDA to honor and celebrate their son and or brother (Hon. Williams).

The Scene of Anthony’s response to his people
Anthony’s journey had been arduous—a path carved by sacrifice, loss, and unwavering determination. His father had passed away just weeks before the election. The old man’s eyes, clouded with age, had never witnessed the dawn of a new era, especially for his son before his eyes. And then there was his son, who fell victim to a sudden calamity, leaving behind dreams of a better future.
As the ballot boxes were opened on the day of elections in Pleebo, Anthony’s heart sprinted, and his people, their faces engraved with hope, had placed their trust in him. They believed that he could lead them toward Development prosperity, justice, and unity. His campaign promises echoed in his mind: schools for the children, clean water for every household, and a bridge connecting their village to neighboring communities.

In response to his people, Anthony’s eyes blurred with tears. He had won. The weight of the victory bore down upon him, threatening to break the dam that held his emotions in check. He stepped further and shouted “Chris Walker” and suddenly paused!! The women of his land rushed and held him, waiting for their leader’s words as he cleared his throat, his voice raw with emotion.
He said, “My people, today, we celebrate not just my victory, but our collective success. Our old people watch over us, and though my father and son couldn’t witness this moment, their spirits dance among us.”
In continuance, he danced with his people, their voices rising in jubilation, and he knew that Pleebo’s dawn had arrived. In that tear-streaked moment, Anthony found solace. His father and son might not have witnessed the victory, but their spirits danced among the stars, celebrating a new beginning for Pleebo Sodoken District in the southeastern part of Liberia.

12/06/2024

https://verityonlinenews.com/rep-williams-champions-summoning-key-ministries-over-decentralization-and-local-governance/

Oops, looks like the page is lost. Start your website on the cheap.

04/06/2024

June 3, 2024

Honorable Anthony F. Williams writes plenary inviting multiple government bodies to report on the current status of the County Service Centers, focusing on their functionality, effectiveness, and efficiency in delivering necessary services to rural Liberians.

CAPITOL HILL: Pleebo Sodoken District #:2 lawmaker (Hon. Williams) following numerous complaints across the country on the challenges being faced by citizens to access basic government services, has brought to the attention of the plenary of the House of Representatives what he describes as the continuous challenges facing rural dwellers in obtaining basic services such as birth certificates, driver's licenses, passports, marriage certificates, Business Registration from the Liberia Business Registry, land deeds and payment of revenue into GOL accounts as result of the various County Service Center not been functional in addressing the continuous challenges Liberians in those parts of the country.

In a letter to the plenary, Honorable Williams informs his colleagues that the rationale behind the establishment of County Service Centers (CSCs) in Liberia was multifaceted and aimed to address critical challenges related to governance, decentralization, and service accessibility reasons behind the centers which amongst other things are stated herein:

1. Decentralization and Local Governance: Liberia has historically faced challenges due to a centralized governance system, which hindered popular participation and local development. Rural residents often struggled to access essential government services. The National Policy on Decentralization and Local Governance (launched in 2012) and subsequent enactment of the Local Government Act (in 2018) aimed to address this issue. These policies sought to take governance closer to the people in rural areas, promote citizen participation, and ensure equitable resource distribution.

2. One-Stop Shop Approach: the service center is intended to serve as a one-stop shop where major documentation services are accessible to rural residents. Instead of navigating multiple offices, citizens can access various services in a single location closer to them.

3. Prospects and Social Cohesion: Despite challenges, the service centers offer prospects for improved governance, as they symbolize decentralization in Liberia and act as platforms for social cohesion between citizens and the government. Additionally, the center contributes to domestic resource mobilization by generating revenue. When citizens can access services conveniently, it fosters trust and engagement with the government.

Excerpts of the Pleebo lawmaker read: “Honorable speaker and distinguished colleagues, the County Service Centers, its functionality lies in promoting decentralization, improving service accessibility, and fostering social cohesion. These centers play a crucial role in bringing governance closer to the people and ensuring equitable development across Liberia”.

In closing, the Pleebo lawmaker craves the indulgence of the plenary to invite the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Liberia Revenue Authority, Ministry of Transport, and Ministry of Health Department of vital statistic responsible for birth certificates) and other relevant authorities that may be identified later to provide updates on the status of the various County Service Centers regarding how functional, effective, and efficient they are in providing the needed services for our people.

30/05/2024

Office of the Chairperson:
House’s Committee on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene & Environment

May 30, 2024

Press Release

House of Representatives Inaugurates New WASH & Environment chairperson, Honorable Anthony F. Williams, applauds international partners for their supports

Capitol Hill, Monrovia: The leadership of the House of Representatives represented by deputy speaker Hon. Thomas P. Fallah on Wednesday, 29th May 2024 officially inaugurated, Pleebo Sodoken District #2: Maryland County lawmaker (Hon. Anthony F. Williams) as the new chairperson of the House’s statutory committee on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Environment taking over from Hon. Thomas Goshua of Grand Bassa county. The ceremony which was jointly held on the occasion of the WASH Multi-Stakeholder Acquaintance Meeting held at the capitol gathered international partners of the sector including the African Development Bank AFDB, USAID, PSI, C4H, Living Water, World Bank as well as sectoral line Ministries and agencies which comprised the MCC, Public Work, Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, Ministry of Health, EPA and the WASH Commission. Also in attendance are Civil society organizations and other actors in the WASH sectors.

The ceremony was chaired and endorsed by the new House’s committee on WASH & Environment under the theme "Improving Our Living Environment Through Safe Drinking Water, Waste Management, and International Partnerships". The main focus of meeting was identifying the most vulnerable counties rassling with environmental and WASH challenges, with the effort of recognizing funding mechanisms and policy initiatives aimed at transforming the lives of both rural and urban dwellers through the aspect of issuing early warning mechanism for the provision of ensuring adequate access to safe drinking water, environmentally friendly public latrines, thereby instituting robust monitoring systems to ensure that donor funding are used for the intended purpose and account for.

Remarking at the program, the newly inducted WASH & Environment chairperson (Hon. Williams) stressed the needs for collectively effort in tackling what he considered as perennial problem of the section.

“I am deeply honored and grateful for the trust you have placed in me by appointing me as the chairman of the WASH and Environment committee. It is a privilege to serve along with dedicated and passionate individuals who share a common goal: to make a positive impact on our community and the environment. I look forward to working collaboratively with each of you, leveraging our collective expertise, and driving meaningful change. Together, we can address critical issues related to water, sanitation, hygiene, and environmental sustainability. Let us embark on this journey with enthusiasm, commitment, and a shared vision”. Said Honorable Anthony F. Williams.

Also, the Pleebo Sodoken district lawmaker spoke about the need of building synergies regarding the fragmentation in the WASH sector which is being witnessed amongst some government ministries and agencies-like the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Health and the MCC dealing with the same issue but separately. He disclosed at the meeting the co-chair of the WASH & Environment will submit a bill named and styled “WASH Ministry) to thus amending some of the laws so as to allow wash activities be centralized so that partners will have a clear perspective about where they are putting their funds/supports.

Furthermore, Honorable Williams is recommending the establishment at tertiary institution/university the department of on WASH as he lamented on the importance of taking donors projects out of Monrovia to various counties and districts where the ordinary people are finding it more difficult in dealing with WASH and environmental issues with less attention. In closing, Honorable pointed out that it is impropriate seeing more than 3 to 4 partners doing the same projects in one county or district, as he pleaded with them to move in other counties or districts once they notice that, the work they are doing other partners are doing it in that same district.
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03/05/2024

Office of the Chairperson: House’s Committee on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene & Environment

May 2, 2024: Press Release
Hon. Anthony F. Williams, Chairperson on the House’s Committee WASH & Environment leads the Joint WASH & Environment Legislative Assessment Team and publishes its findings; Applauds it development partners.

Capitol Hill, Monrovia—Liberia: The Chairperson of the House’s Committee on WASH and Environment/Pleebo Sodoken District #:2, Maryland County lawmaker (Hon. Anthony F. Williams) of the 55th House of Representative, led a joint assessment team comprising Members of the Legislative WASH Caucus, including the Legal Advisor of the WASH Caucus, Hon. Edward P. Flomo, Jr.; as well as members of the WASH Secretariat, Technical and Senior Officials of the LWSC, the media, and community leaders from affected areas in electoral district #: 4, Montserrado County.
Inter alias, the joint assessment team assessed WASH facilities, and released its findings hereto:

1. WHEREAS, the assessed WASH facilities are in total abandonment with colossal damages that need speedy attention.

2. WHEREAS, it was also established that the communities’ dwellers were denied water access, especially the Soul Clinic water supply. They were only serving business institutions, for example, G5 (Liberia Coco-Cola Bottling Company) and other businesses for their gains.

3. WHEREAS, the LWSC failed to comply with agreements signed with affected communities’ dwellers concerning land wavers.

WHEREFORTH, the joint assessment team commended the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) for committing to restoring water supply in both Soul Clinic and New Georgia Estates as of May 2, 2024, and in furtherance promised to renovate and properly turn over a refurbished latrine to the affected community dwellers within 35 working days. The committees applauded the communities for being peaceful and patient until the intervention and also commended the LWSC leadership for forming part of the assessment and recognizing the concerns of the community.
Consequently, the Legislative WASH committee headed by Honorable Williams, amidst their appreciation to the LWSC for their initial steps, is requesting the LWSC Management to submit to the committee a Recovery Plan with a timeline to restore safe and sustainable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services as soon as possible. The committee designated the WASH Secretariat to closely work with the LWSC and the affected communities to ensure that those promises are fulfilled and that, issues regarding the management of the WASH facilities are properly addressed. The committee assures the public and Liberia’s developmental partners in the WASH sector that there will be no more business as usual, thus ensuring henceforth that donors, the private sector, and government investment in WASH are sustained and citizens and the government will take full ownership of WASH facilities across the country.

The team through its chairperson, appreciated the Speaker, Hon. Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Thomas P. Fallah, and all members of the 55th Legislature for establishing the WASH & Environment Committee and giving them the opportunity to serve in such capacities, as well as recognizes the contributions of Civil Society organizations, the WASH Caucus Secretariat and the international partners, most especially, WaterAid Libera, Population Services International (PSI), Satiation and Water for All (SWA), etc. for their continue support to the WASH Legislative Caucus that contributed to its achievement to date.

The Pleebo Sodoken, district #: 2, Maryland County lawmaker and chairperson of the 55th Legislature House’s Committee on WASH and Environment promised his unflinching willingness to work with his colleagues and partners to ensure that the WASH sector receives the needed high-level political leadership for the Liberia citizens and residents of Liberia to have access to safe and sustainable WASH services in ensuring that Liberia achieve its national and international WASH Commitments in line with the sustainable development goal 6.
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02/04/2024

Honorable Anthony F. Williams seeks plenary indulgence to invite members of the Inter-ministerial Concession Committee – IMCC
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April 2, 2024: Pleebo Sodoken District #:2, Maryland County lawmaker (Hon. Anthony F. Williams), has written plenary craving the indulgence of the Hon. House to invite members of the Inter-ministerial Committee (IMCC) to provide a comprehensive plan/roadmap on the review process of all Concessions Agreements operating within the bailiwick of the Republic of Liberia.
In a communication dated April 2, 2024, ref #: AFW/HOR/D-2/Maryland Co./C-013/24’, the Pleebo Sodoken lawmaker stated that the appearance of the committee to explain to that august body, the methodology/measures required to review all concession agreements will provide members of the lower house the understanding of the process. He however, disclosed in his letter that there is a planned visitation by members of the lower house to all concession areas across the country to enable them to have a fair understanding of what their people are going through at those concession sites, accordingly, he asserted that initiative will put them in a comfortable position to adequately apply their oversight responsibility in providing check and balance in the review process.

According to Hon. Willliams’ communication, those concerned government agencies that make the Inter-ministerial Concession Committee (IMCC) are:

1. National Investment Commission (NIC)
2. Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME)
3. Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
4. Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)
5. Ministry of Labor (MoL)
6. National Bureau of Concession (NBC)
7. The Legal Adviser to the President- OLA)

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01/04/2024

The Anthony's quotes