By Bill W. Cooper
Senator Prince Moyee of Bong County, has welcomed the decision of House Speaker Fonati Koffa to initiate an investigation into the alleged alteration of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 approved budget.
Senator Moye who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Ways, Means and Finance, hailed the Speaker’s decision to halt further deliberations on the recast draft budget pending the outcome of investigations.
Following the passage of the 2024 budget, there has been growing wave of concerns from some Representatives and Senators alleging that there was budget temperance by unknown individual(s).
This fiscal malpractice has since been a major point of contention in the country, bringing into question the government of President Joseph Boakai commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
The allegation, which was brought to light by a group of concerned citizens, claims that certain provisions in the approved budget were altered without proper authorization. As a result of the allegation, Speaker Koffa officially setup a committee to probe the matter within a shortest possible time.
While the investigation is ongoing, the government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) earlier this Month forwarded the Draft Recast Budget for Fiscal Year 2024, totaling US$738.8 million, to the Legislature for scrutiny.
Presenting the budget, acting Finance Minister, Anthony Myers said the submission is aimed at recalibrating the budget to have it better aligned with revenue realities while safeguarding critical national expenditures.
Surprisingly, to note during the opening of the House’s extra sitting Thursday, August 28, 2024, Speaker Koffa seized a motion intended to allow the August Body scrutinize the draft recast budget following its reading by the House’s Chief clerk.
The Speaker justified his decision in his opening remark, emphasizing that said measure is in line with the House’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability within governance system of Liberia.
Speaker Koffa then assured the public that the House remains dedicated and accountable to the citizenry, and expressed commitment that the investigation will reach a logical conclusion before further action is taken on the recast budget.
In support of the Speaker’s decision, Senator Moye commended Speaker Koffa and his colleagues for taking what he described as a ‘swift action’ to address the issue; a move he said has now restored ‘Transparency and Accountability’ in the Liberian government.
Speaking to a team of legislative reporters over the weekend, the Bong County Senator also expressed his support for the investigation and urged all parties involved to cooperate fully with the investigative process. “I am pleased to see that Speaker Koffa is taking this matter seriously and has decided to launch an investigation into the alleged budget alteration, and for me, this is crucial that we get to the bottom of this issue. I also welcome the Speaker decision to put on hold the recast budget deliberation because the issues of budget tempering is key and crucial and as such, we need to investigate and hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” Moye said.
Moye at the same time, has disclosed that even though there were instances where funds approved in the budget were removed from areas approved to another area and the Finance Ministry however clarified those changes.
Meanwhile Senator Moye has expressed optimism that all will be done to enable the smooth execution of the budget and to ensure that all budget line items remain the same and intact in the approved budget as was signed by the President.
