MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a move to uphold transparency and accountability, Cllr. Moriah Yeakula-Korkpor has formally demanded access to financial records from the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2010. Her request specifically targets the LTA’s 2024 Budget, Expenditure Report, and detailed records of salaries and benefits paid to Commissioners from January to November 2024.
In her letter, dated December 9, 2024, and addressed to Hon. Abdullai Kamara, Chairman of the LTA Board of Commissioners, Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor emphasized the legal basis for her request. Citing the FOI Act, she reminded the LTA of its statutory obligation to provide public access to information, stressing that no justification is required for such requests under the law.
The letter, which exudes determination and clarity, reads in part:
“In 2010, the National Legislature passed the Freedom of Information Act granting everyone the right to access information generated, received, and held by public bodies, subject only to such limitations as are necessary and narrowly established for reasons of an equally or more compelling public interest.”
Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor outlined her specific demands:
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A copy of the LTA’s 2024 Budget.
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The LTA’s Budget Expenditure Report, with detailed reference to remuneration (salaries and benefits) paid to Commissioners from January to November 2024.
She further urged the LTA to comply with the FOI Act by providing a prompt response within the established legal timeframe and requested a transfer of her inquiry to any other relevant agency, should the LTA not possess the requested records.
Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor’s request stresses her unwavering commitment to ensuring transparency in public institutions. Her focus on the salaries and benefits of Commissioners raises critical questions about the prudent use of public funds and potential discrepancies within the LTA’s financial management.
“This request is not only a call for accountability but also an effort to affirm the public’s right to know how taxpayer money is being utilized,” she stated.
The FOI Act of 2010 was designed to empower citizens by granting them access to information held by public institutions. Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor’s action could set a precedent for greater scrutiny of public agencies and their financial practices.
Meanwhile, some counselors who reviewed Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor’s actions told Smart News Liberia that her initiative highlights Liberia’s ongoing governance challenges. According to Cllr. Gabriel Nah, her move serves as a crucial reminder of the role civil society and concerned citizens can play in fostering accountability.
Cllr. Nah remarked to Smart News Liberia, “Whether the LTA will comply promptly with her request or seek exemptions remains to be seen, but the demand for transparency is a clear indication of rising public expectations for open governance.”
He further emphasized that Cllr. Yeakula-Korkpor’s firm stance represents a broader call for integrity in the public sector, setting the stage for what could potentially become a breakthrough effort in the fight for financial accountability and transparency.
