MONROVIA: The purchase of luxurious, classy, posh, and expensive vehicles for top officials of Liberia’s new political dispensation has raised widespread public concern and fury, with many citizens describing the move by the current administration as not only ‘waste and abuse of state resources but also reemergence of ‘cars politics’ following the 2023 Presidential and Legislative elections.
During the 2023 Elections, the then opposition Unity Party (UP), now ruling party, accused the erstwhile administration of former President George Manneh Weah of involvement in wasteful or over-the-top spending of limited state resources including public funds.
At the time, the then opposition party, UP, also accused consistently, then President Weah and many of his officials of promoting luxurious lifestyles, at the expense of the vast majority of the country’s population who cannot afford US$2.00 a day.
Interestingly, however, in just a period of nine months, according to critics, the new administration, led by veteran politician, Joseph Nyuma Boakai; and his Vice President, Jeremiah Kpan Koung, appear to have copied from the country’s past officials deluxe lifestyles as reflected in the quality of vehicles they use, multiple foreign trips with sundry delegations, among others.
The costs of vehicles being used by most top-level elites of the Boakai administration, according state-insiders, ranged from US$45,000 to a mouthwatering US$600,000.
Recently, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Amin Modad, came under public spotlight for allegedly purchasing a vehicle, valued over US$100,000, through the state-owned Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).
Although, Minister Modad and LRA Boss, Dorbor Jallah, categorical refuted claims that the vehicle was purchased for the use of the Commerce and Industry Minister, Modad.
Amid ongoing brouhaha in the public sphere bordering on the apparent deluxe living standards of some, if not all top-level officials of the new political dispensation, another visibly embarrassing saga has sparked in the public domain.
It relates to, among others, the alleged recent purchase of two armored and non-armored vehicles for use by President Boakai and Vice President Koung respectively.
However, the government’s decision to spend a mouthwatering US$15 million off-budget has also sparked intense controversy, as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), has announced a formal investigation into what has been characterized as “Off-budget Expenditure-FY2024,” that depicts “Major Sources of Transfer.”
The LACC probe has been triggered that by contentious expenses incurred by the current Unity Party-led Government, from January to August 2024.
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), that reported the off-budget expenditures, amounting to US$15m.
Speaking recently at a news conference, LACC Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, expressed concern over the alleged off-budget spending by the Government of Liberia, totaling US$15 million.
Cllr. Zoe emphasized that the LACC takes these allegations seriously, as they are directly aligned with the Commission’s mission to uphold transparency and accountability.
“We take these allegations seriously, as they touch on matters that are core to our institutional objectives. Off-budget expenditures, if confirmed, can undermine public trust in governance, weaken fiscal discipline, and pose risks to the country’s financial integrity… As an institution charged with safeguarding public resources, we assure the public that we will leave no stone unturned in this investigation. If evidence of wrongdoing is found, we will take the necessary legal actions, including recommending sanctions, prosecutions, and other corrective measures,” Cllr. Zoe disclosed.
She assured the public that the LACC has initiated a preliminary review of the allegations, which will be followed by a comprehensive investigation to verify the claims, establish accountability, and ensure appropriate legal measures are taken.
Among the reported expenses, the government allocated US$2,307,609 for “unexplained miscellaneous” expenses and US$2.5 million for covert operations through the National Security Agency (NSA).
Additionally, the House of Representatives reportedly spent US$1.5 million on Special Sessions, while the Senate expended US$812,612 for similar purposes.
Other significant expenditures include: US$65,000 by the Ministry of State for the funeral of former Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Thomas Doe Nah; US$191,679 in contributions to the Muslim community; US$30,880 for the funeral of Supreme Court Associate Justice, Joseph Nagbe; US$250,000 for completing the VIP lounge at the Roberts International Airport; US$28,000 for operational expenses of the Vice President’s Office; US$25,000 for the funeral of James Quiqui.
Further notable expenses were: US$41,667 by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC), for fulfilling its mandate; US$61,062 for Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency’s operational costs; US$1,123,000 for purchasing armored and unarmored vehicles for the President and Vice President; US$250,000 for recovery operations by the National Disaster Management Agency for miners trapped in Rivercess County.
More than that, the government funded the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with US$40,000 on the Miss Earth 2024 beauty pageant.
The Ministry of State also reported US$30,000 for the funeral of former Education Minister Othello Gongar (late); US$10,000 for Dr. Robtel N. Pailey’s role as the national orator for Liberia’s 2024 Independence Day celebrations, and US$60,000 for the President’s engagements with community leaders.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expended US$500,000 for Independence Day celebrations, US$40,000 for the Mano River Union Conference, and US$100,000 for relocating Foreign Service employees.
The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) received US$453,000 for report production, while the Ministry of Justice spent US$291,552 on legal services for the SOLWAY Mining Liberia arbitration case.
Howbeit, the LACC boss reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting the investigation with full transparency and independence.
She added that the LACC will engage relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance and other oversight institutions, to ensure a thorough and fair inquiry.
Cllr. Zoe further called on the public, media, and all stakeholders to allow the investigation to proceed without premature speculation or assumptions, urging everyone to respect the principles of due process.
“Any allegations of financial mismanagement will be met with the full force of the law as part of our broader efforts to promote accountability and protect public funds. Let’s ensure that all findings are based on verifiable facts and evidence,” she added.
The much-heralded Off-Budget Expenditure-FY2024 has faced strong criticisms by some state officials and members of the public.
Among the government officials who have been vocal on the National Budget crisis is House Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa.
Speaker Koffa prior to his visit to United States called for significant reforms to Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law.
He stated, “While we support this budget recast, we must commit to making substantial changes to how the budget is received, transmitted, and executed. Off-budget spending without adherence to governing laws is illegal and unacceptable.”
He emphasized that the Legislature must hold the Executive Branch accountable for violations observed in the recast budget and work toward a more transparent and lawful budget process moving forward.
