The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has welcomed the Liberia Revenue Authority’s reported increase in domestic revenue collection but is calling on the government to show Liberians how the additional money will be used.
CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen commended LRA Commissioner Dorbor Jallah and his team for improving revenue collection, describing the reported performance as “highly welcoming.”
Miamen, however, said the government should not become comfortable with collecting what he described as “millions” when Liberia has the potential to generate much more.
“It has been conspicuously clear that Liberia has been cheated over time, given the low domestic revenues generated,” Miamen said.
He said stronger tax compliance, greater use of technology; transparency and effective oversight could help the government collect more of the revenue owed to the state.
Miamen: ‘We Need Billions’
Miamen said Liberia must set more ambitious revenue targets and reduce its reliance on external funding to finance national development.
“Thank you millions but go away!! We need Billions and even Trillions!!” he said.
According to him, increasing government revenue is only one part of the equation. The bigger question is whether the money will be managed properly and spent on priorities that directly affect citizens.
“The concern, however, is what happens to the monies generated, in terms of allocating them to activities that directly and substantively benefit the population,” Miamen said.
He cautioned the government against using additional revenue for unnecessary spending that benefits senior officials and politically connected individuals.
Miamen specifically raised concerns about spending on expensive vehicles and other logistical support for top government officials, including the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice.
He also criticized what he called the “ill-advised Foya-based Presidential project,” arguing that government resources should instead be directed toward projects with clear benefits for citizens.
The CENTAL executive director said his organization will pay close attention to how the additional revenue is allocated, particularly whether it reaches ordinary Liberians or is absorbed by government officials, committees and politically connected individuals.
He said women, children and persons with disabilities should receive particular attention because they are among the groups most affected by poor governance, corruption and inadequate public services.
“We will be closely watching to see where the extra millions will be allocated and spent, whether on recycled politicians and their likes or on projects and activities that are directly beneficial to ordinary citizens, especially women, children, persons with disabilities who suffer most from the effects of bad governance, corruption and other social ills,” Miamen said.
He urged the government to invest more in basic social services, infrastructure and other areas that can improve living conditions, especially in rural and underserved communities.
‘We Want Billions Properly Managed’
Miamen said CENTAL supports efforts to improve domestic revenue collection but stressed that higher revenue figures should result in visible improvements in the lives of Liberians.
“Thank you millions but go away!! We want Billions that are properly allocated and managed to tangibly benefit Liberians, including those in remote locations and lacking basic social services,” he said.
He said the success of Liberia’s revenue efforts should ultimately be judged not only by how much the government collects, but by how transparently the money is managed and whether citizens see meaningful improvements from it.
For CENTAL, Miamen said, increased domestic revenue must translate into better public services, improved infrastructure and greater opportunities for Liberians.
