The Liberian Senate has launched an inquiry into allegations that high-ranking government officials are using luxury vehicles that exceed the legally approved spending limit, sparking criticism over the lack of enforcement of budgetary regulations.
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon voiced frustration over findings suggesting that officials, including Cabinet Ministers and heads of state-owned enterprises, drive vehicles far more expensive than the $45,000 limit imposed on lawmakers.
“I am extremely disappointed by what I’m hearing,” Dillon said. “In this Legislature, we are restricted from purchasing vehicles costing more than $45,000. Even at that price, it remains a major concern for our people.”
According to Dillon, many officials in the executive branch use vehicles that cost between $60,000 and $70,000. He criticized the apparent disregard for the law, arguing that these officials unilaterally decide on the cars they use. He also expressed skepticism over claims by General Services Agency (GSA) Director-General Galakpah Kortima that only three luxury vehicles were intended for foreign guests.
Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Co-chair of the Senate Committee on Public Works, went further, vowing to resign if it could be proven that the vehicle assigned to Public Works Minister Roland Lafayette Giddings cost only $45,000.
“I’m willing to resign tomorrow if you can prove me wrong,” Snowe declared. “The Ministry of Public Works not only uses costly vehicles but also signs road contracts that require contractors to provide additional vehicles, inflating the cost of projects.”
Snowe criticized public officials in the Executive Branch for fostering a perception that legislators are the primary offenders in luxury vehicle use. He pointed to the controversy surrounding former Commerce and Industry Minister Amin Modad, who reportedly used a vehicle valued at over $96,000, and argued that many officials continue to drive similarly expensive cars despite public outrage.
He urged the Senate plenary to demand justification from officials using vehicles exceeding the legal limit, reminding lawmakers that only the President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker, Senate Pro-Tempore, and Deputy Speaker are exempt from the restriction.
During the debate, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence clarified that the joint committee’s initial mandate was to verify whether Kortima made the statements attributed to him. However, she suggested expanding the probe to determine whether government officials’ vehicles comply with budgetary restrictions.
Senator Dillon argued that the committee should have taken the initiative to investigate the cost of vehicles used by executive officials rather than limit its work to verifying a single statement. Grand Kru County Senator Albert T. Chie recommended that the GSA Director-General publicly clarify his remarks to set the record straight.
Grand Gedeh County Senator Thomas Yaya Nimely added that his actions spoke for themselves even if Kortima was misquoted.
“The issue isn’t just about his words; it’s about the actions of the entire Executive Branch,” Nimely said. “They have violated the law, and we are not blind to it.”
He rejected Kortima’s claim that his statement was merely a suggestion, emphasizing that while lawmakers are frequently scrutinized for their vehicle purchases, Executive officials continue to use extravagant cars.
Following the debate, Senator Dillon proposed that the Senate plenary accept the joint committee’s report but also instruct the committee to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that, aside from the five highest-ranking officials, no other public official is using a vehicle costing more than $45,000 in violation of the Budget Law.
The joint committee’s report, chaired by Sinoe County Senator Crayton O. Duncan, quoted Kortima as stating that his remarks at a Ministry of Information press briefing had been misinterpreted. He reportedly explained that he had only suggested a policy ensuring that certain officials have standardized, reliable vehicles. The report noted that his proposal included planned discussions with key government stakeholders, including members of the National Legislature and officials from the Ministries of Finance, Development Planning, and State for Presidential Affairs, to review the government’s vehicle purchase policy.
Kortima assured that no policy would contradict existing regulations, but the committee recommended that any formal proposal regarding vehicle acquisitions be submitted for Senate review.
