MONROVIA – The nine-month-old government of Liberia under President Joseph Boakai is facing serious allegations of rampant corruption and mismanagement. Reports have surfaced claiming that officials within the Boakai administration are engaging in “off-budget” practices to allegedly siphon off public funds, continuing a troubling trend seen in previous governments.
The Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has announced the launch of a probe into these allegations, which suggest that over US$15 million has been misappropriated by government officials. This practice, which contravenes established financial management procedures in Liberia, raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability in the new administration that promised to rescue the nation from corruption.
Two Liberian lawmakers, Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. and Nimba County District Number 8 Representative Musa Hassan Bility, have publicly denounced the government’s actions during a live local radio broadcast. The two lawmakers have spotted criminality in the process.
The LACC’s statement highlights its commitment to investigating the alleged siphoning of millions, asserting that it will scrutinize the financial activities of the Boakai administration. Meanwhile, members of the Liberian legislature claim they are unaware of any such scheme, despite the fact that over US$2 million has been allocated to them. This includes US$1.5 million for special sittings of the House of Representatives and US$812,612 for the Senate’s special sessions, alongside an unexplained US$2.3 million labeled as “miscellaneous.” A breakdown of questionable expenditures reveals a troubling picture of financial mismanagement:
US$2 million for covert operations by the National Security Agency (NSA);
US$65,000 spent by the Ministry of State for the funeral of Thomas Doe Nah;
US$191,679 allocated as the President’s contribution to the Muslim community; and
US$250,000 for the completion of a VIP lounge
US$1.123 million for purchasing armored and unarmored vehicles for the President and Vice President Additional expenditures include funds for various funerals, operational costs for the Vice President’s office, and recovery operations for miners trapped in River Cess. “Off-budget” expenditures, which are not included in the government’s official budget, have long been a tool for misallocation of resources.
These practices often lead to a lack of transparency, increased debt, inefficiency, and a significant undermining of accountability. The use of off-budget financing can distort economic indicators, complicating policymakers’ understanding of the true fiscal position of the government. As the LACC prepares to investigate these serious allegations, the Boakai administration, which campaigned on a platform of integrity and reform, faces mounting pressure to demonstrate its commitment to ethical governance.
The potential ramifications of these findings could have far-reaching effects on public trust and the political landscape in Liberia. While the legal framework governing public finance may allow for prosecution of those found guilty of misconduct, the path to accountability remains fraught with challenges. Citizens are left watching closely, hoping for transparency and justice in a system that has struggled with corruption for far too long.
