Monrovia – Acting Finance and Development Planning Minister Anthony Myers has dismissed recent claims of budget alterations by some members of the Liberian legislature, calling for verification of such allegations before drawing conclusions.
By Jeremiah Mulbah, Contributor
Speaking on the Super Morning Show on ELBC Radio on Monday, August 12, 2024, Minister Myers said that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning remains unshaken by the claims, which he insists are not based on facts.
“Definitely, it has claimed our attention, but it hasn’t caused any unnecessary panic among us because, just as you mentioned, they are all claims. Claims always have to be verified,” Minister Myers said.
He further added, “From our perspective, from what we know, nothing of such happened—not in the way that is being portrayed out there in the public. For us, this is nothing new; the Ministry of Finance and other institutions always come under these kinds of suspicions that are not based on facts.”
His comments come in the wake of allegations by some lawmakers at the Legislature surrounding potential alterations to the approved 2024 National Budget.
Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are gearing up to investigate these concerns.
The initial Budget, approved in April 2024 by the House of Representatives, stood at US$738,859,827, reflecting a 6.7% increase from the Executive’s proposed US$692 million.
However, alleged discrepancies amounting to at least US$20 million have since raised alarms among lawmakers.
Prominent voices in the legislature, including Rep. Clarence Gahr (Marigibi), Senators Amara Konneh (Gbarpolu), and Nathaniel McGill (Margibi), have expressed their concerns over the alleged budget tampering.
Speaker J. Fonati Koffa on his official Facebook Page on Friday, August 9, 2024 announced the formation of a joint committee with the Senate to thoroughly investigate the matter.
When asked about the possibility of being summoned by the House of Representatives, Minister Myers welcomed the idea of a legislative probe. “For us, that is the best alternative. That is the way government processes are conducted,” he remarked, stressing the importance of formal inquiries and responses before making public accusations.
He reiterated that the Ministry has not received any formal citation or request to identify areas of alleged alteration.
Minister Myers also highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, noting that any claims of manipulation must be substantiated with concrete evidence.
He pointed out that the Ministry has often been accused of unresponsiveness due to its refusal to provide resources for unbudgeted requests. According to him, the Ministry strictly adheres to appropriate processes when sourcing funds.
Regarding the ongoing nationwide consultations on the national development agenda, Minister Myers confirmed that these consultations, led by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and its partners, are nearing completion, adding that the consultations at the sub-national level are expected to conclude by August 15, 2024.
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