Speaker Threatens House Shutdown Over Withheld Funds Amid Revenue Surplus

MONROVIA – House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has threatened to shut down the House of Representatives due to the Ministry of Finance’s failure to release funds for members’ benefits and House activities.

Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Mr. Dorbor Jallah, informed the House that the LRA had exceeded its revenue target by nearly US$8 million. “As of yesterday, we were supposed to raise US$308,612,000. To date, we have raised US$316,449,000, about US$7.8 million more than projected,” Jallah stated.

Speaker Koffa expressed his outrage. “It is astonishing that the Commissioner General would report over-performing on revenue, yet the House of Representatives cannot receive budgeted benefits.” He criticized the situation where lawmakers borrow money for basic needs while the Senate’s retreat is fully funded. The House depends on NGO support to hold its retreat.

Koffa highlighted the ongoing struggles. “We should not have to credit money from money changers to provide gas for our members. We should not lack the tools lawmakers need to work because the Ministry of Finance claims there is no money.”

He lamented the disparity. “If the Commissioner General had said revenue was not performing, we would understand. But he says revenue is over-performing, yet the Senate is well-funded, while the House has only two months’ worth of benefits. We can’t even get money for a retreat and must beg NGOs for stationery. If we cannot resolve this soon, we will shut down the House of Representatives.”