Ordinary citizens here are frustrated and disappointed over reports that the Government of Liberia expended US$15 million outside the 2024 National Budget amid grinding poverty and economic difficulties characterized by a lack of transparency and accountability in public sector spending.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, Liberia, September 25, 2024 –Dozens of Liberians, especially residents of Logan Town, a slum community on Bushrod Island, are expressing disappointment in the Unity Party-led government for allegedly spending US$15 million outside the national budget.
They note that unprecedented allegations of corruption in the government present a picture of hopelessness and indicate that the administration will not be different from the administration of former President George M. Weah.
They argue that since President Boakai’s ascendency, there have been allegations of corruption ranging from the Minister of State to budget tampering, the US$15 off-budget spending, and the Minister of Commerce and Public Works’ alleged corrupt attitude.
They call on President Boakai to put his feet down firmly and set a precedent, or else he may likely find himself in the same fate as former President Weah. They add that unemployment, poverty, and hardship are alarming for the President and his government.
The Unity Party-led government continues to face mounting scrutiny and disappointment over the off-budget spending, which has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the administration.
The off-spending lines include US$1.5M for a special session of the House of Representatives, US$812,612 for a special session of the Senate, US$1.12M for armored vehicles for President Boakai and Vice President Koung, US$350,000 for the Annual African Group Meeting of Judiciary, and an unexplained US$2.3M, among other expenditures.
The funds, primarily sourced from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and ECOWAS trade levies, had been designated for various purposes, including special legislative sessions, funeral expenses, and operational costs for government officials.
Moreover, the ECOWAS trade levy contributed US$2.84 million, mainly for judiciary salaries and hosting international meetings. The Government of Liberia’s average off-budget spending is US$10 million, US$15 million, US$20 million, and US$25 million.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the NEW DAWN on Tuesday, September 24, in Logan Town, a resident, James Tweh, described the UP-led government as a government that has come to inflict more wounds on the Liberian people.
According to him, it’s very saddening that the government has yet to look in their direction despite them residing in slums and sleeping under flooded and open roofs.
“My brother, I want to tell you that African governments will always be the same. This government has come to suffer us more. What is going on too early contradicts what this government came to power for. We, the youths, don’t have the employment opportunity. We are sleeping in water, but our government is engaged in unexplained off-budget spending”, he notes.
Mary Williams, a mother of four, explains in tears that she didn’t expect the Boakai Administration to allegedly engage in corruption, adding that they trusted him too much.
She said that she has five children and runs a small business to support them, but since the Unity Party government took office, she has not understood anything from her business.
“As we speak, my children are not in school. We don’t have good sleeping place, because everywhere is water. The only thing I want to tell President Boakai is that he should learn from former President Weah. If he continues this, in 2029, we all will go against him. Things are tough, and poverty is increasing. This is not good”, she cries out. Editing by Jonathan Browne
