Published: February 10, 2026
CAPITOL HILL — The House of Representatives has moved to seek formal clarification from the Executive Branch over the financing and legal basis of the proposed Manor River Union Center for Regional Peace and Development in Foya, Lofa County—a project estimated to cost between US$5.5 million and US$6.1 million.
House leadership has scheduled a closed-door hearing for Feb. 16, 2026, involving officials from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, and the Ministry of Public Works. The decision follows a communication to plenary from Grand Gedeh County District 2 Representative Marie G. Johnson, who raised concerns about the project’s funding source and compliance with constitutional spending requirements.
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During plenary debate, Johnson said that while infrastructure and development initiatives are necessary, projects of this scale must adhere strictly to constitutional and legislative oversight procedures.
“This matter raises constitutional, fiscal, and governance concerns that warrant immediate legislative attention,” Johnson said, citing questions over whether the reported funding followed proper appropriation procedures.
She referenced Article 34(d) of the Liberian Constitution, which grants the Legislature exclusive authority over public expenditure and requires that public funds be appropriated through the national budget and withdrawn by presidential warrant. Johnson questioned whether the multi-million-dollar allocation for the Foya peace center was included in the approved national budget or committed through alternative mechanisms without explicit legislative approval.
“There must be transparency and accountability in how projects of this magnitude are financed,” she said. “While the Manor River Union Center is a laudable initiative for regional cooperation, its financing must strictly adhere to constitutional provisions to preserve public trust and the integrity of our governance system.”
Johnson also sought clarification on procurement procedures, asking which processes would be used to award contracts and what safeguards would be put in place to ensure proper stewardship of public funds.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has previously addressed public confusion surrounding the Foya project, stating that it is fully owned by the Government of Liberia and not a project of the Mano River Union, as some critics had suggested.
Speaking to reporters earlier this year, Boakai rejected claims that the initiative was externally funded or tied to sub-regional institutions, describing it as a government-sponsored development project.
However, conflicting public messaging about the project has fueled debate among lawmakers and raised questions about inter-agency coordination within the Executive Branch, including whether the Legislature was adequately informed before financial commitments were made.
Supporters of the project argue that the center could strengthen regional cooperation among Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire by serving as a hub for diplomacy, peacebuilding, and economic engagement, particularly in border communities.
Civil society groups and governance advocates, however, have warned that bypassing legislative authorization—even for well-intentioned projects—could set a troubling precedent that weakens fiscal oversight and erodes public confidence in government institutions.
The Feb. 16 closed-door hearing is expected to focus on the source of funds for the Foya project, the legal instruments used to authorize spending, and the procurement and implementation framework.
Johnson has called for a formal written report from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning detailing the funding source, along with a comprehensive executive briefing on project planning, procurement, and accountability measures. She also recommended a joint legislative review to determine whether the project complies fully with Liberian law and budgetary procedures.
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