Many public offices in Liberia continue to operate from rented or leased private properties, putting financial burden on the state.
By Ethel A. Tweh
Monrovia, Liberia, 7 March 2024: General Services Agency (GSA) Director General-designate Galakpai Wozie Kortimai has disclosed that the Liberian government owes land and building owners over US$1.7 million for rental services.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agency, chaired by Bong County Senator Johnny Kpehe, on Tuesday, March 6, 2024, Mr. Kortimai promised to verify the figure provided to him if confirmed by the Senate.
He said over the years, the government has failed to settle most of its financial obligations to land and building owners whose properties have been used for public services.
According to him, this has put the GSA in an embarrassing situation. He added that if confirmed, his leadership will lobby the 55th Legislature to allocate the funds in the budget for Fiscal Year 2024 to settle the debt.
“The General Services Agency controls housing and public properties and is responsible for the custody and management of all GOL-owned and leased lands and buildings,” he added.
“The Government of Liberia has not been able to settle most of its obligations to land and building owners in the amount of approximately US$1,795,950 over the period, and this figure will be verified by our leadership when confirmed. This has put the GSA in an embarrassing situation,” Mr. Kortimai said.
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Highlighting his plans for the next 100 days, Mr. Kortimai promised to establish a task force to identify and recover government vehicles, plates, and other essential assets that are wrongly used by private or public entities and individuals.
He promised to respond to quick impact renovations by Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions that may require GSA intervention.
“Secondly, we will set up a technical team headed by a legal professional from the GSA to promptly assess properties leased to the Government, which will give us informed judgment on default, lease agreement, and actual amount owed to these property owners,” he continued.
He promised a centralized renovation of Government of Liberia (GoL)-)-owned and leased buildings to enable the government to minimize costs.
Mr. Kortimai also vowed to establish a proper mechanism to ensure that GOL properties, especially vehicles, are not used by public officials as personal property.
At the same time, the GSA Director General-designate said if confirmed, he would reintroduce the Department of National Financial Management, which would be responsible for recording all purchase vouchers being prepared by various ministries, agencies, and commissions.
“This department, if granted, will ensure that proper accounts of all GOL materials are purchased and also minimize the disparities in purchasing vouchers,” he concluded.
