Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Expenditure and Audit, Senator Amara M. Konneh, has called on the Executive branch to ensure the full implementation of audit reports released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) by investigating and prosecuting past and current government officials accused of alleged corruption and financial improprieties.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
The Gbarpolu County senator observed that past and current governments have been struggling to ensure the prosecution of individuals named in these audit reports and findings released by both the GAC and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
He made these comments at a brief ceremony marking the launch of public hearings on audit reports released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) held at Capitol Building in Monrovia on Monday, July 15.
Senator Konneh maintained recommendations contained in previous reports for punitive actions to be taken against individuals found guilty of corruption or misapplying public finances are not implemented by the government, through the Executive.
He said though the government and citizens are eager for the betterment of Liberia, the rate at which the government develops a country can only be substantially determined by three factors.
He named the factors as government’s ability to fix the economy and connect it with other economies in neighboring and other countries, maintaining sustainable public finances and assigned monies and the enforcement of the rule of law.
He stressed the need for trade and economic activities to be intensified between Liberia and its neighboring countries.
Senator Konneh noted that though it is a herculean task for lawmakers to review the more than 180 audit reports released by the Auditor General, members of the PAC committee are committed to establish how public finances were expended by government officials and also help to ensure a strong public financial management system.
He stressed that any public official who violates the laws of the country on the expenditure of public funds must be made to face the consequence.
“The third point is that-even when you fix the first one (economy) and you start to do business with your neighbors and would-be countries, if you don’t enforce the rule of law; if you break the law you will bear the consequences for it (or else), this hing will not work. We can do all the hearings here; send our recommendations to our leaders or the Executive, the LACC or Justice Ministry will come in-but it’s that prosecution part that we are struggling with in our country.”
He stated that Liberia would not experience rapid economic growth and development if the rule of law was not being upheld in the country. “The Auditor General has done an excellent job to produce these reports. Our job now in this 55th Legislature is to open these reports to the public so you can know what’s inside.”
Senator Konneh emphasized that recommendations that would be proffered to the Executive from the National Legislature would not be manufactured by lawmakers, but ones that would derive from these audit reports.
In the cases of compliance issues, he added that the PAC would expect the new heads of government ministries, agencies and State Owned Enterprises “to fix these problems.”
“In the case of egregious financial improprieties, we will expect the President to get the LACC and other anti-graft institutions in the executive branch to investigate those others and take them to court.”
He, however, used the occasion to commend the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Senate Pro Tempore Fonati Koffa and Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence respectively, for their commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances.
Also speaking, the chairman of the PAC Committee of the House of Representatives, Clarence Gahr, called on members of the 55th National Legislature to hold together, regardless of political affiliation, and muster the courage to fight against corruption in the public sector.
He welcomed the move made by lawmakers to provide additional support to integrity institutions during the passage of the national budget, but urged his colleagues to do more in curbing and fighting corruption.
“The ARREST Agenda of President Boakai’s Administration focuses on the fight against corruption and calls for transparency in all government business dealings. This government, ministers, civil servants and all elected Public Officials, are tasked with perusing this goal.”
However, Representative Gahr noted, that government must be subjected to scrutiny. “As we take on the Leadership of the Joint Public Accounts Committees, we have received more than 200 reports in back lodge, it’s a major challenge. These challenges are basically surrounding financial constraints. The Joint PAC in its new vision wants to publish at least five (5) to ten (10) consolidated reports for 2024. We have agreed to forgo our vacation in achieving this task. We can assure the Liberian people and partners that we are doing this to ensure everyone who in their discharged of his/her duties misused or mismanage public funds are held accountable.”
He added that the Joint Public Accounts Committee has also unanimously agreed to have a time limit to the Auditor General reports.
He disclosed that upon receiving the reports from the Auditor General, the PAC will conduct public hearings and publish its findings within a 90 day period.
Representative Gahr, however, called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to mandate the Minister of Finance to adhere to the Acts creating anti-graft institutions by giving them full financial independence in ensuring they perform their various responsibilities void of any interference and delay.
“As we assembled here in respect of our duties, we want to urge every public official, past and present to adhere in making themselves available when ever requested by the committee. It’s necessary all public officials answer to quarries raised by the Auditor General in these reports as to ascertain witness statements in presenting fair opinions on the AG reports to our various chambers. We want to commit to our partners and Liberians that opinions express in these reports will be void of partisanship, tribal basis and all others forms of biases; we will be very much professional, independent and above all patriotic in the expression of our opinions.”
Meanwhile, the Joint PAC of the National Legislature will conduct public hearings on the Auditor General’s report at the Capitol Building in Monrovia beginning this Wednesday, July 17.
The hearings are in keeping with Article 89 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution and Section 4.2(g) of the General Auditing Commission (GAC) Act of 2015.
Comprising of members from both Houses, the committee plays a crucial oversight role by examining government expenditures and ensuring transparency and accountability.
It reviews public finances, audits government accounts, and makes recommendations to enhance fiscal responsibility and efficiency. The committee contributes to good governance by holding the government accountable for its use of public funds.
It is assisted by a Secretariat which was established during the 53rd National Legislature in April 2013.
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