MONROVIA – The General Auditing Commission (GAC) has thrown out nearly 88 percent of domestic debt claims filed against the Government of Liberia, citing widespread irregularities, missing documentation, and unsupported payment requests, according to its recently released Domestic Debt Audit Report. The findings could save the country more than US$704 million.
The audit examined claims submitted by individuals, contractors, financial institutions, and service providers, highlighting systemic weaknesses in Liberia’s domestic debt framework and revealing a pattern of inflated and unverified obligations. A total of 784 claims, amounting to US$770.8 million and L$5.05 billion, were submitted for verification. After months of meticulous review, only 342 claims valued at US$92.1 million and L$259.4 million were confirmed as legitimate. This means that 88.05 percent of U.S. dollar claims and 94.87 percent of Liberian dollar claims were rejected due to missing supporting documents or inconsistencies in the submitted evidence.
The most significant irregularities were found in claims categorized as loan instruments from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), commercial banks, and other financial institutions. Of the US$394.8 million submitted under this category, only US$18.3 million was confirmed valid, leaving US$376.5 million rejected.
Among the unverified claimants and vendors are Mansour Yantani, Metro Stationary, Monster Garage, Morris Turay, National Road Fund Office, Office Express, Ousman Dukuly, Protecto Security, Roseline Wleh Ben, the Association of Former Elected Legislators, T. Choithram & Son, Thunder Bird Corporation, West Africa, Whistle Blower Examination Council, Winners Construction Company Inc., and Varney G. Mah. These claims were disqualified due to the absence of essential supporting documentation, contracts, or quotations.
The GAC said its audit followed a series of public announcements issued on November 26, 2024, requesting all claimants to submit relevant supporting documents within a specified period. The measure, the Commission emphasized, ensured fairness and transparency in the verification process.
“This audit demonstrates the importance of rigorous verification in protecting public resources,” a GAC spokesperson stated. “By validating only legitimate claims and rejecting unsupported submissions, we have safeguarded hundreds of millions of dollars that can now be redirected toward national development priorities.”
The audit also noted a significant number of claims were submitted without proper contracts or evidence of service rendered. Some vendors had inflated amounts, while others lacked any documentation to substantiate their claims, further emphasizing the need for robust oversight and accountability in Liberia’s domestic debt management.
The rejected claims include several high-profile cases, such as the National Road Fund Office, which submitted a claim for US$29 million, and the Whistle Blower Examination Council, which requested US$1 million. Both claims were disqualified due to incomplete or missing documentation.
By conducting this audit, the GAC has not only identified fraudulent or inflated claims but has also highlighted systemic weaknesses in Liberia’s debt management framework, prompting calls for improved internal controls and stricter compliance procedures.
The verification exercise revealed that of the total claims received, only US$92.12 million in U.S. dollars and L$259.43 million in Liberian dollars were validated. The remaining US$678.76 million and L$4.79 billion were rejected, representing a substantial portion of potentially mismanaged public funds.
The GAC report is expected to serve as a critical reference for policymakers, government agencies, and civil society groups seeking to strengthen transparency and accountability in Liberia’s public financial management. Officials stress that continued monitoring and strict adherence to proper documentation standards are essential to prevent future irregularities.
Following the audit, the government is now positioned to reclaim and redirect resources previously earmarked for invalid claims, potentially funding key development projects and reinforcing public trust in fiscal governance.
The GAC concluded that the Domestic Debt Audit is part of a broader effort to institutionalize financial integrity within the Liberian government, ensuring that public resources are protected, properly accounted for, and used in the nation’s best interest.
