LIBERIA – Recently, the Minister of Finance of Liberia, Samuel D. Tweah promised to investigate the alleged receipt of US$160 Thousand by his media aide, Aloysius Howe. However, an investigation conducted by Smart News revealed there has been no such investigation into the scandal.
Minister Samuel Tweah told Spoon FM Radio that he learned that the money was paid to Howe for public relations services he allegedly performed for the census house – Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS); and promised an investigation into the case.
An investigation conducted by Smart News revealed that the minister has not launched any investigation and Howe is freely carrying out his business.
The payment to Aloysius Howe was revealed by Liberian Youth Activist Martin Kollie when he also accused Finance Minister Samuel Tweah of allegedly being complicit in the financial scandal at LISGIS which he said is responsible for the census fiasco in the country.
Minister Tweah is the chairman of the board of LISGIS and according to Kollie, he has been using his position to allegedly protect officials who are siphoning funds from the census account.
Martin Kollie also released a check number on which Aloysius Howe allegedly withdrew US$160 thousand.
Howe had originally denied the allegation on his Facebook page, before his boss, minister Tweah admitted hearing of the incident and promising a probe.
Aloysius Howe, over the weekend, called Smart News Liberia to question the truthfulness of a story that revealed minister Tweah had confirmed he (Howe) received US$160K from LISGIS.
In a mobile phone communication with one of the editors of Smart News, Howe attempted to say that the finance minister did not confirm news reports that he (Howe) took money from LISGIS.
Aloysius Howe said Finance Minister Tweah did not tell Spoon FM that he received the money for public relations he allegedly performed on his page.
Smart News had reported that Liberia’s Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah, who is the chairman of the board of directors of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) confirmed hearing that his media aide, Aloysius Howe has been paid US$160 thousand by LISGIS.
Minister Tweah told Spoon FM radio that he has been informed that the money was paid to Howe for Public Relations services he allegedly provided to LISGIS.
The Minister claimed the payment to Howe by LISGIS will be investigated.
When the public relations officer of the Ministry of Finance, Patient Senkpenie Kumeh was called today on whether an investigation into Howe’s receipt of PR money from LISGIS has been launched, she could not confirm nor deny. She said: “Please, I will call you back in a few minutes.” She did not call back as promised.
Youth Activist, Martin Kollie revealed Aloysius Howe withdrew 160k from LISGIS’ account on October 19, 2022, on Cheque– BG CHK330, Ref. J01CQWL222920084.
Activist Martin Kollie, had launched a blistering and sustained attack on the person of the Liberia Finance Minister for allegedly being responsible for the financial crisis at LISGIS.
Martin Kollie revealed in a series of publications that Liberia’s census for 2023 is in jeopardy because of alleged corruption.
He accused officials at LISGIS and the Minister of Finance of allegedly stealing monies intended for the conduct of the census.
Martin Kollie disclosed the Finance Minister who is the chairman of the census board was allegedly manipulating the situation at LISGIS. Martin Kollie has not been able to show documentary evidence to prove his allegations.
It was apparently, based on Martin Kollie’s allegations that Spoon FM panelists questioned the Finance Minister when he appeared on their talk show.
Tweah had informed the panellists that he heard of such information, but that an investigation into the allegations will be launched.
The Finance Minister even went further to suggest that he has been told that the money Howe received from LISGIS, was for PR services he allegedly rendered to the census house on his Facebook page.
