MONROVIA – In a move underscoring the critical need for transparency in governance, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, on Friday, August 9, 2024, announced his intention to seek authorization from the leadership of the House to form a Joint Committee with the Senate. This committee will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into allegations of unauthorized alterations to the 2024 Fiscal Budget.
Speaker Koffa, emphasizing the importance of openness and accountability, stated, “We shouldn’t only be perceived as transparent; we must be transparent and transparent to the letter, thus promoting open governance.” The proposed joint committee is expected to thoroughly examine these serious allegations and ensure that any discrepancies in the budget are addressed with integrity and clarity.
The call for investigation follows accusations from members of the National Legislature, who claimed that officials within the Executive branch unilaterally made changes to the 2024 national budget after it had been approved by the Legislature. Lawmakers assert that the figures printed in official handbills differed from those enacted by the Legislature, raising concerns over possible illegal alterations. Among the most serious allegations is that the Executive illegally redirected US$20 million from the approved budget, leading to a 6.9% reduction in appropriations for public administration, a 0.5% cut in health funding, and a 2.1% decrease in allocations for transparency and accountability sectors. These cuts, according to legislators, could severely impact the government’s ability to pay wages for civil servants and volunteer health workers across the country.
The Senate’s Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Mohammed Konneh, has already taken a strong stance on the issue, describing the alleged actions by the Executive as forgery. The Committee has recommended that those involved be referred to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution. Additionally, the Committee has called for the summoning of the Minister of Finance and Development Planning to explain each amendment, in accordance with the Public Financial Management (PFM) law. The lawmakers argue that if these adjustments were indeed made without the Senate’s knowledge, they represent a significant breach of the separation of powers as outlined in the Liberian Constitution.
Speaker Koffa’s decision to push for the formation of a Joint House and Senate Committee has been met with broad support, particularly from members of the Senate. Senator Amara Konneh welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a positive step towards maintaining good governance. “Speaker Koffa’s decision to establish a joint committee to investigate the reported budget modifications following its enactment is a positive step in good governance. It reminds us of Baron de Montesquieu’s words: ‘The decline of every government starts with the erosion of the principles on which it was built.’ In this case, the Liberian people voted for this government on the principles of good governance, which begins with a credible budget. They deserve to know if the budget, their money, is credible,” Senator Konneh observed.
Senator Nathaniel F. McGill of Margibi County, who also serves as the Chairman of the Legislative Caucus of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has echoed similar sentiments. He has urged members of the CDC Legislative Caucus to halt all budget-related discussions until the allegations surrounding the US$20 million budget adjustment are fully investigated and addressed. “As Chairman of the CDC Legislative Caucus, I am calling on the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and all members of the CDC Legislative Caucus to not proceed with any budget debates, whether the recast or 2025 budgets, until the allegations surrounding the US$20 million illegal movement in the 2024 budget are thoroughly investigated and addressed,” Senator McGill declared, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The ongoing controversy over the alleged budget alterations has cast a shadow over the current administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability. The formation of a Joint Committee, if approved, will be a critical step in restoring public trust and ensuring that the principles of good governance are upheld. As the investigation progresses, the Liberian people, as well as the international community, will be watching closely to see how the government addresses these serious concerns and whether the principles of separation of powers and accountability are respected.
