By Bill W. Cooper
An investigation by this paper has uncovered that some members of the House of Representatives stand accused of engaging in illicit negotiations with various ministries and agencies for potential kickbacks against the passage of individual budgetary allocations in the national budget.
Our investigation also established that the two Representatives who’s name popped up to be allegedly leading the negotiation are Margibi County Representatives Ivar Jones and Clarence Garh; as they are said to be holding talks with several institutions of government on a 60-40 budgetary arrangement.
According to our source, the two lawmakers have already met with the Ministries of Justice and Commerce, including other security agencies as well as SOEs, raising more concerns about the ‘4g passage’ of this year’s fiscal envelope.
Our source also disclosed that both lawmakers met with the key representatives from both Ministries during the early start of January this year, in demand of 60 percent from these institutions’ 2025 budget.
Our source maintained, “They’re requesting 60 percent leaving their prey with 40 percent and expect report during the expenditure hearings. I think this is how these guys make their money. They are working through a surrogate at the Ministry of Finance and the Liberia Revenue Authority to perfect their scheme.”
However, our investigation followed the circumstances surrounding the controversial removal of embattled Fonati Koffa who attributed his colleague’s decision to wanting to take full control of the country’s budget to continue their manipulative practices like was done in the past.
It can be recalled that in 2024, serious political drama began with the unexpected removal of Koffa as Speaker while he was out of Liberia on an official visit to the United States of America (USA) and subsequently joined President Joseph Boakai in Italy.
Since the majority now headed by their Speaker Richard Koon initiated the process, it is becoming clearer that the maneuver was a strategic plan to consolidate power and control so that they continue to their legislative loots including getting kickbacks from allotments on the budget.
In the wake of the saga, which partially affected the workings of that body as well as the intervention of the Supreme Court, allegations of corruption and bribery began to circulate, with some lawmakers admitting to receiving US$15,000 to sign the resolution for the Koffa’s removal.
Providing more reasons why some of his colleagues want him removed from the speakership, Koffa alleged that there is a cartel of lawmakers and collaborators who continue to milk the country to enrich themselves at the expense of the ordinary people.
During separate media engagements on Spoon Talk and at his Capitol office on Wednesday, October 23, Speaker Koffa revealed concerning systemic corruption and the misuse of state resources within the House of Representatives.
The Cartel members, he said, manipulate the budget every year to short-change the Liberian people, noting, “This same cartel will carry the budget hearing to Boulevard Palace Hotel Room 1026 to adjust all the numbers and make the public believe that the amount allotted for was approved for its intended purpose.”
He added that the primary reason behind his colleagues’ attempts to remove him is his “persistent refusal to allow lawmakers to steal from the government’s coffers” at the detriment of the Liberian people.
During the media engagement, Koffa further expressed his concerns about the budget formulation process, revealing that veteran lawmakers from the Ways and Means Committee would convene at Boulevard Hotel Room 1026 to adjust budget figures; something that witnessed members of the majority quickly changing members of relevant committees in no time.
“During these discussions, various government ministries and agencies would be invited to review the initial amounts allocated to them by the Ministry of Finance and they will inform these officials that they intended to inflate the budget to secure kickbacks.
This same cartel came to me when I requested off-budget spending. They said, “Mr. Speaker, we saw on their computer that the off-budget is US$15 million, but you can forget it if you ask them for US$2 million. Are you crazy?” He wondered.
Koffa, affirming his readiness and determination to confront any attempts against him during the interview declared, “There is no bloc in the Legislature; I remain the Speaker. Any activities outside the chambers are merely meetings.”
According to our source, these kickbacks would also be tied to the approval of budgetary allocations that could benefit specific projects or initiatives favored by the representatives or, in some instances, receive the cash.
The budget in question, which was recently signed into law by President Joseph Boakai, is a critical document that outlines the government’s financial priorities for the coming fiscal year, and with significant funds allocated to various ministries and agencies, the potential for misuse and misappropriation of public funds is a pressing concern.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the public relations officers from both the Ministries of Justice and Commerce, including the House Ways, Means, Finance and Budget Committee Chairperson, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, thus distancing their respective institutions from this allegation.
The House Ways, Means, Finance and Budget Committee Chairperson, Representative P. Mike Jury, in an interview with this paper, said, “I have no knowledge of such, and I will not be able to speak any further concerning this matter.”
“This is not to my knowledge, and as chair of the House Ways, Means, Finance and Budget Committee, I’m not in the know of such practice. So I advise that you speak to the two individuals name mentioned but I have no idea of such,” he added.
The Communication Directors of the Justice Ministry, Jutonue Kollie and Commerce, Mitchell Jones, categorically rejected the claims and said, “These allegations are baseless, unfounded and have no iota of truth. Our Ministries are committed to transparency and accountability and will not get involved in any act of such nature.”
They added, “We have strict protocols in place to ensure that all budgetary allocations are handled appropriately. So, any suggestion or allegations of kickbacks is simply not true and only intended to derail our Boss’ hard-earned reputation.”
Meanwhile, despite these denials, the allegations have sparked outrage among Liberians who are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter, with some arguing that the integrity of the legislative process is at stake and that any hint of corruption must be addressed swiftly and decisively.
