MONROVIA, LIBERIA – In a public statement released on February 16, 2025, exiled Liberian activist and chief convener of Voices from Exile (VEx), Martin K. N. Kollie, demanded that the Speaker of the Majority Bloc, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, immediately declare his assets in line with national laws. Kollie’s remarks come in response to Koon’s controversial labeling of himself as a “Regime Speaker,” a statement Kollie condemned as indicative of the Speaker’s role as a puppet of the executive branch, undermining the independence of Liberia’s legislature.
Kollie’s statement, which was issued from his base of operations in exile, criticized Koon for remarks that, according to the activist, exemplified puppeteering and carpetbagging. He called Koon’s comment a “symptom of dishonorable loyalty” to the executive branch, which Kollie argued rendered the House of Representatives into an extension of the presidency. “A Speaker should neither be a Presidential Puppet nor a ‘Regime Speaker.’ This is a risk to democracy,” Kollie stated, urging Koon to retract or clarify his statement.
The activist further emphasized that the role of a Speaker in the House of Representatives is to serve the people and uphold the interests of the nation, not simply follow the dictates of the president. “A Speaker should be able to checkmate the President at all times and protect the Constitution and the ultimate interests of the Country,” Kollie asserted. In his view, Koon’s comment compromised the independence of the legislative branch, particularly as the government faces increasing scrutiny over its actions and governance.
Kollie’s criticism extended beyond the Speaker’s remarks, touching upon what he described as the systemic failure of Liberia’s political elite to adhere to transparency standards. He highlighted Koon’s failure to declare his assets, an omission that violates Section 10.1 of the 2014 Code of Conduct Law. Kollie argued that this failure not only undermines public trust but also reflects a broader culture of impunity among public officials. He called on Koon to follow the example set by President Joseph Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Koung, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, and other officials in declaring their assets.
“The Majority Bloc’s Speaker must follow the example of Pres. Joseph Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Koung, Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, and other public officials by declaring his assets because he’s also a custodian of public resources, including monetary and non-monetary assets,” Kollie said.
The activist also took issue with the hefty budget allocated for Koon’s office in the Fiscal Year 2025, drawing attention to the significant disparities between the salary and allowances of Liberian lawmakers and the economic conditions faced by the nation’s citizens. Koon’s proposed budget for FY2025 includes a salary of $245,540, alongside allowances for fuel, home generators, entertainment, and committee hearings totaling over $700,000. Kollie expressed disbelief that such substantial resources would be allocated to one individual when Liberia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with an unemployment rate exceeding 90%.
“Why should one public official or one public office even receive this huge money in the world’s 8th poorest country with an unemployment rate of more than 90%?” Kollie questioned, pointing out that Koon’s compensation package is far beyond what most citizens in the country earn in a year. He questioned the rationale behind paying such a large sum for committee hearings, which he argued should be a routine part of a lawmaker’s duties.
Kollie further compared the salary of Koon to that of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, whose annual salary is $223,500. Kollie expressed frustration that a Liberian official would earn more than the U.S. Speaker while the country continues to rely on international aid. “Why is Liberia still begging and crying for aid while one of its officials earns more than the U.S. Speaker?” he asked, advocating for cuts in public waste and an end to the government’s penchant for lavish spending.
The activist’s calls for transparency were not limited to Koon alone. Kollie highlighted the broader issue of corruption and wasteful spending within the Liberian government, which he believes has contributed to the suffering of the Liberian people. “Greed and graft have been Liberia’s problem. The suffering in Liberia is artificial. It is man-made,” Kollie stated, urging the Speaker to act quickly and publicly declare his assets in order to begin restoring some semblance of public trust.
As a country still grappling with poverty, political instability, and a lack of basic services, Kollie stressed the need for public officials to be held accountable for their actions. He emphasized that Liberia cannot continue to move forward with a leadership that is not transparent and committed to the principles of good governance. The activist closed his statement with a call for Speaker Koon to declare his assets this week, stressing that any delay would only further tarnish the public’s perception of Liberia’s government.
“This is too much money for a single official or office when hundreds of thousands of young people in Liberia are jobless,” Kollie concluded, imploring Koon to demonstrate the kind of leadership that the country desperately needs. Without such transparency and accountability, Kollie warned, Liberia would continue to languish in its current state of dysfunction and poverty.
