Amidst contentious public outrage over a controversial Senate retreat that allegedly cost over $400,000, River Cess County Senator Wellington Geevon Smith has firmly stated, “I owe no apology.”
This declaration was made before the start of their session at the Capitol Building on Tuesday, which ignites potential public debate and scrutiny.
Senator Smith defended the expenditure, arguing that the work of senators is not pro bono and that public criticism is unwarranted.
He pointed out that the executive branch consumes a larger portion of the budget compared to the legislature. “If it were the executive branch, there would be no noise around here. I owe no apology to anybody,” Smith asserted.
The Senate, led by Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence, is currently under intense public scrutiny following reports of a $400,000 expenditure for a four-day retreat in Buchanan, which in reality lasted only three days.
This expenditure has raised serious questions about the appropriation and use of public funds.
Typically, Senate sessions commence at 11 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. However, since the scandal broke, senators appeared in session very late, opting instead for closed-door meetings rumored to center around the retreat’s expenses.
The controversy has sparked heated debates, with conflicting figures being cited by various senators and staffers.
Senator Smith, a beneficiary of the retreat, remained unapologetic, emphasizing, “No parliament around the world run on a pro bono basis.” His blunt remarks could do little but to assuage public anger and have, in fact, intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability.
In response to the backlash, the office of the Senate Pro-Tempore issued a clarification.
The statement aimed to address what it described as distortions and misrepresentations regarding the retreat’s cost and intent. According to the Senate leadership, the retreat was organized to set the legislative agenda, focusing on transparency, accountability, and the audit of Senate activities.
The official statement claimed the total cost of the retreat was $50,000, covering accommodation, conference hall rental, catering services, daily subsistence allowances for support staff, transportation, and security arrangements.
The Senate leadership challenged any individual or entity with credible evidence to the contrary to present their information, maintaining that the retreat’s expenses were prudently managed.
They also called for ethical and balanced reporting from the media, stressing that irresponsible reporting undermines media credibility and can create unnecessary confusion and discord.
The critics, however, remain skeptical, pointing out inconsistencies and contradictory statements regarding the actual amount spent.
They argue that the issue goes beyond just “lunch money” accountability and highlights a deeper problem of transparency and fiscal responsibility within the Senate.
The Senate’s handling of this controversy will undoubtedly have significant implications for its credibility and the public’s trust.
As Liberia continues to grapple with issues of governance and accountability, the outcome of this scandal will serve as a crucial benchmark for future legislative conduct and the enforcement of ethical standards in public office.
