Rev. Dr. Tolbert Jallah, Executive Director of the Faith and Justice Network (FJN) has condemned what he described as gross fiscal irresponsibility and economic mismanagement by Liberia’s National Legislature. Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, Dr. Jallah expressed outrage over recent financial reports revealing substantial increases in budgetary allocations for legislative activities, which he claims prioritize personal gain over national development.
Dr. Jallah said the vast majority of Liberians, already struggling with extreme poverty, are being further marginalized by lawmakers who have diverted public funds for their own enrichment. “We are raising our voices to expose the irresponsible misuse of public funds and the blatant insensitivity displayed by those entrusted with the responsibility to improve the lives of Liberia’s citizens,” he stated.
The FJN leader highlighted specific increases in the legislature’s budget, calling them unjustifiable. He pointed to the surge in funding for constituency visits, which rose from $330,000 to $2.05 million within a year, and the dramatic hike in allocations for “Legislative Committee Hearings” and “In-house Meetings,” which ballooned from $3.6 million to $13.9 million—a 300% increase.
“These outrageous increases in spending raise serious questions about the priorities of some of our lawmakers, who have chosen to divert resources that should be used to improve the lives of the poor towards their own pockets,” Dr. Jallah remarked.
Dr. Jallah revealed that the legislature has spent $53.2 million in less than a year, a figure he described as not only a misuse of public funds but also a betrayal of public trust. He expressed alarm that such lavish spending continues while Liberia remains the 8th poorest country in the world.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must point out that the resources squandered in the halls of power belong to the people,” Dr. Jallah said. “These funds are not legislators’ private wealth but the Liberian people’s hard-earned taxes. This money should create jobs, build infrastructure, and provide essential social services to uplift those suffering from extreme poverty.”
Dr. Jallah criticized the government’s failure to fulfill its promises to citizens, describing it as a betrayal of the electorate’s trust. He called for immediate accountability from the legislature, urging lawmakers to justify their spending and explain how it has benefited the Liberian people.
“The people of Liberia deserve dignity, respect, and justice,” he said. “We urge the public to hold their lawmakers accountable and demand a government that prioritizes the well-being of all Liberians, not just a privileged few.”
The Faith and Justice Network also demanded full transparency in allocating and using funds in the 2024 budget and called for a shift toward greater accountability in the upcoming 2025 budget.
“We will not sit back and watch as Liberia’s future is sold for short-term political gain,” Dr. Jallah asserted. “We will continue to pray for justice, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of governance.”
Dr. Jallah concluded by emphasizing the need for a government that invests in its citizens and focuses on reducing wasteful expenditures. He called on lawmakers to redirect public funds toward programs that uplift the poor, build infrastructure, and provide essential services to Liberia’s struggling population.
