Senator Amara Konneh, representing Gbarpolu County, spearheaded a critical Senate session on February 25, 2025, to scrutinize the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) Budget and address serious concerns regarding financial management. The session, which featured Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Augustine Ngafuan, centered on a range of budgetary issues, including a controversial $17 million allocation in the FY2024 budget for legislative hearings and ongoing shortfalls in the financial commitments of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The meeting quickly became a forum for lawmakers to voice their dissatisfaction with handling the national budget. One of the primary issues raised was the discrepancy between revenue and expenditure projections due to fluctuating exchange rates, which have become a significant concern for the FY2025 budget. Lawmakers also criticized the inability of SOEs to meet their reporting obligations under the Amended and Restated Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, particularly regarding Section 59(2).
During the engagement, Senator Konneh and his colleagues pushed Minister Ngafuan for clarification regarding the $17 million earmarked for legislative hearings in the previous fiscal year. The allocation has drawn considerable attention and scrutiny, with many questioning the appropriateness and necessity of such a large expenditure. Senator Konneh demanded transparency in how the funds were used, and the Senate Plenary subsequently agreed that the Minister would be required to testify under oath to provide full details about the spending.
The discussion also uncovered budget discrepancies that raised concerns about financial mismanagement. One such issue was the allocation of $300,000 for Karpower in the FY2025 budget, despite the Legislature’s earlier decision to remove the provision before passing the budget. This contradiction has raised suspicions of potential manipulation within the budgetary process and led to calls for a more thorough examination of the entire budget.
Minister Ngafuan, although not explicitly confirming the allegations of financial mismanagement, acknowledged the need for corrective measures. He assured lawmakers that the Ministry of Finance was committed to addressing the issues raised and would work alongside the Senate to ensure transparency and accountability in government spending. Ngafuan also pointed out that, given his relatively short tenure since his appointment in September 2024, he was not fully familiar with financial decisions made prior to his term.
The Minister’s statements highlighted his commitment to improving the credibility of Liberia’s financial system and restoring public trust in government expenditure. However, he recognized that resolving the issues raised in the session would require swift and decisive action.
