Barclay Karnley
MONROVIA: Gbarpolu County Senator, Amara Mohammed Konneh, says the Ad Hoc Committee setup by Senate President Pro-Tempore, Nyongblee Karngar Lawrence, lacks the credibility to conduct investigation relative to the alleged budget alteration.
Senator Konneh stressed that the Committee will be used to manipulate the situation for personal gains or to control the damages either the Legislature or the Executive has caused.
It can be recalled on Thursday, September 5, 2024, The Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Nyongblee Karngar Lawrence, setup a six (6) member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the alleged alteration in the 2024 National Budget which was alarmed by lawmakers up Capitol Hill.
The Committee comprises Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabbah Varpilah as Chair; Grand Gedeh County Senator, Thomas Yayah Nimely as Co-Chair; and Grand Kru County Senator, Numine T. H. Bartekwa, as Member.
Other members of the committee include; Senator James Biney of Maryland County, Senator Momo Cyrus of Lofa County and Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea.
The Committee, according to Senate Pro-Tempore, Nyongblee Karngar Lawrence, is mandated to find out whether or not the national budget has been tempered with.
The Budget was passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House of Representatives, with all signatures attached and to also do a comparative analysis of the final budget that was signed by the Speaker and the Vice President, and that the committee should also include the budget that was printed and report to the Senate Plenary in one (1) week.
However, contrary to the Senate ad hoc committee setup by the Pro-Tempore to investigate the situation, Senator Konneh noted that it is not credible for the Senate which he said is involved in the act to investigate itself.
According to Senator Konneh, who is a Financial Expert, and former Minister of Finance and Development Planning, it would be beneficial to have the General Auditing Commission (GAC) or an independent external body to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged budget tempering.
“It is evident that someone within the Executive Branch or a group of Legislators adjusted the FY2024 Budget. There is no denying this fact, as the evidence is clearly outlined in the publicly budget book,” he asserted.
Senator Konneh maintains that by comparing the approved budget on April 30, 2024, with the enacted budget on May 8, 2024, and referring to the final budget numbers on Page XXI (Section 1.7: Sector Summary) of the Budget Book, it is clear that modifications were been made.
He noted that the investigation should rather focus on who made the changes, where they moved the money, and for what purpose.
The Gbarpolu County Lawmaker stressed that an independent investigation in the budget tempering is a necessary step to maintain transparency, accountability and probity and ensure no attempt to manipulate the situation for personal or control the damage image it has caused.
At the same time, Senator Konneh challenges Liberians to speak out and take actions to hold their elected officials accountable.
He stressed that the Legislature is responsible for making positive changes for the people and it is crucial for the public to demand transparency and meaningful reforms in the governance of the country.
He also highlighted the failure of the Liberian Legislature to publish financial reports since 2006.
“Over the last decade and a half, the Legislature has spent significant money on its work but has not published a single budget execution report since 2006,” he averred.
Please see draft Report from the Specialized Committee constituted to investigate the alleged tempering in the Passed 2024 National Budget.
