The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT) is embroiled in controversy following allegations by its former Assistant Minister for Information Services, Matthew Nyanplu. Speaking on OK FM on Monday, November 25, 2024, Nyanplu accused Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah of engaging in questionable financial practices, including allegedly sharing cash among MICAT staff.
Nyanplu detailed his claims, stating, “On five occasions, the Finance Department came to my office with money in envelopes, saying, ‘Minister says he wants everybody to get something.'” He also alleged that funds amounting to $100,000, reportedly allocated for a sovereign competition, were distributed under unclear circumstances. Nyanplu suggested that such practices reflect a larger culture of financial mismanagement within MICAT under Minister Piah’s leadership.
According to Nyanplu, the timing of these cash distributions coincided with significant government events, such as the cabinet retreat and the launch of the sovereign competition. He questioned whether the funds were sourced from the competition budget or diverted from other allocations, raising suspicions about the integrity of the ministry’s financial management.
“Maybe it’s just about eating money in the office or eating money in the position and covering your tracks,” Nyanplu remarked, accusing Minister Piah of fostering a domineering and unaccountable work environment.
Before his radio appearance, Nyanplu took to his Facebook page to voice his concerns. He revealed that he had privately urged senior Unity Party (UP) officials to replace Minister Piah to ensure meaningful transformation at MICAT. “After the first three months of working with Minister Piah, I determined things were not quite aligned. After six months, I determined that the way out of the misalignment of issues and factors at MICAT was the transfer of Minister Piah from MICAT to a different role,” Nyanplu wrote. He emphasized that his call for a change in leadership was not personal, stating, “Piah is a big brother with a good heart, but he’s a bad public servant.” Nyanplu also challenged Minister Piah to resign, warning that his forthcoming interview would leave Piah unable to continue as Liberia’s Information Minister.
In a swift response, Deputy Information Minister Daniel O. Sando issued a statement on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, vehemently denying Nyanplu’s allegations. Sando described the claims as baseless and damaging, asserting that MICAT operates with transparency and integrity despite severe financial constraints.
“It’s well-known that MICAT is one of the least supported entities by Liberia’s government,” Sando stated. “We struggle to secure sufficient funding to support government communication programs, let alone have it to ‘share’ among ourselves.”
Sando highlighted the ministry’s ongoing infrastructural challenges, including a leaking roof, unstable electricity, and insufficient office furniture, as evidence of its financial struggles. He revealed that MICAT had to rely on private-sector donations to fund a $47,000 roofing project after receiving no response to a $187,000 funding request submitted to the Ministry of Finance.
“Where did we get the money to ‘share’ amongst ourselves?” Sando questioned, adding that Minister Piah led these renovations without government support.
Sando also dismissed Nyanplu’s allegations as a desperate attempt to tarnish the ministry’s reputation. “Matthew needs to move beyond vague statements and provide evidence to substantiate his claims,” Sando said. “Anything less will be seen as the last gasp of a failing effort.”
The allegations have sparked debate about financial accountability and ethical leadership within MICAT. While Nyanplu’s accusations have cast a shadow over the ministry, Deputy Minister Sando’s rebuttal has called into question the credibility of the claims.
MICAT has urged Nyanplu to provide concrete evidence to back his allegations, emphasizing that baseless accusations undermine the integrity of public discourse. “Recognizing that accusations without evidence undermine the credibility of the person making them is essential,” Sando said.
Meanwhile, the unfolding controversy places MICAT under intense scrutiny, with calls for an independent investigation into the alleged financial improprieties. As the Unity Party-led administration under President Joseph Boakai struggles with more enormous governance challenges, this scandal threatens to wear down public trust further in its commitment to transparency and accountability.
