MONROVIA – In 2019, around the July 26 Independence Celebration, the Central Bank of Liberia made several disbursements totaling US$730,000 to the Liberia National Police, the National Security Agency, and the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs without any approved policy.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

An audit by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), the nation’s supreme audit body, discovered that on July 24, 2019, US$200,000 was disbursed to the Liberia National Police as the Bank’s contribution for the July 26 celebration. On July 23, US$300,000 was disbursed to the Ministry of State for the same purpose. Additionally, US$80,000 was disbursed by the Bank to the National Security Agency (NSA) for “special security operations.”

These disbursements took place in 2019 when the Bank was in transition, with Deputy Governor Nyemadi D. Pearson (Operations) in charge of the Bank, FrontPageAfrica gathered. The Deputy Govenor for Operations also oversees all financial transactions/disbursements of the Bank.

The GAC’s audit observed that these amounts were unsolicited by the receiving entities, which could be a recipe for financial malpractices.

“During the audit, we observed that without an approved policy, management made several material unsolicited payments to institutions and individuals in excess of approved amounts,” the audit noted.

The General Auditing Commission highlighted that the Bank’s management must provide explanations with supporting documentation for making these payments without budgetary allocations. The GAC also recommended that the Bank’s management should, in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, describe what payments are allowed under CSR programs and place a threshold for different levels to ensure safeguards against management’s override and abuse of the program.

FrontPageAfrica gathered that these disbursements were made when the current Governor of the Bank had yet to be appointed by the former President.

The audit is part of an ongoing audit commissioned by President Joseph Boakai, which covers the six-year period of former President George Weah’s administration (2018 to 2023).

It can be recalled that in April this year, the Governor of the Central Bank, J. Alloysius Tarlue, was asked by President Boakai not to form part of the delegation for the Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C., in order to assist with the forensic audit of the Bank.

The President’s directive followed a request from Governor Tarlue seeking approval from the President for the travel of himself along with Mr. James B. Dennis, a Board member, Madam Nyemadi Pearson, Deputy Governor for Operations, and Mr. Musa Dukuly, Deputy Governor for Economic Policy.

“The President has given approval for members of the delegation, but given the ongoing forensic audit endorsed by the International Monetary Fund and the Government audit commissioned by the General Auditing Commission at the Central Bank, the President directs that you stay in the country,” stated the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grigsby, in a communication to the Governor.

Executive Mansion sources familiar with the development informed FrontPageAfrica that the President’s decision to ask Governor Tarlue not to attend the Spring Meeting is due to the near completion of the forensic audit, which might necessitate the Governor being present to provide some clarity to the President.

MONROVIA – The Joseph Boakai administration faces mounting pressure to agree to rice importers’ demands for a price hike on the nation’s staple food. Failure to comply could result in a severe shortage, as importers threaten to withhold supplies until their demands are met.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

FrontPageAfrica has gathered that the rice importers have written to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, proposing a minimum price of US$20 per 25kg bag of parboiled rice. They argue this increment is necessary to offset the rising cost of importing rice to Liberia.

FrontPageAfrica has seen a communication from K & K Trading Corp. to the Minister of Commerce, outlining the challenges they are facing and the losses they continue to incur while the Liberian government delays the price increment on the local market.

K&K Corp stated: “Regrettably, due to the price hike for rice from the origin country and other operational challenges, we find ourselves in a position where we are selling the rice at a significant loss.

“The situation is indeed dire, and the continued sale of rice at the current prices poses a risk of incurring substantial losses for us. Therefore, we humbly urge you to expedite the implementation of the price increase to a minimum of US$20 per bag at your earliest convenience. Doing so would not only alleviate the financial burden on importers but also ensure the sustainability of our operations and the stability of the rice market in Liberia.”

This negotiation has been ongoing since February this year. However, the Boakai-led administration, despite initially giving the importers some assurance of an increment, has been dealing with the situation delicately, knowing that rice is a political commodity in Liberia.

Why the Increment in Price

In February, India extended a 20% export tax on parboiled rice indefinitely. Initially imposed in August last year and intended to last until March 31, 2024, the measure by the Indian government was intended to ensure sufficient local stock and stabilize domestic prices in India. This tax increase on rice exported from India is now dealing a significant blow to Liberian importers.

In October 2023, Liberian rice importers requested an increase in the rice price from US$17.50 to $20, citing rising costs. However, this request was not fulfilled due to political considerations during the election period. Again in February, the importers outlined reasons for their price increase request, including the additional 20% charge from the Indian export tax and increased transportation costs due to longer shipping routes caused by the war in the Middle East.

Despite the financial pressures, the Liberian government and importers initially agreed to reduce the price to US$16.50 and focus on local rice production investments. This agreement was contingent on observing if the Indian government would reduce tariffs, which did not happen.

By May 14, 2024, importers again requested a price increase to US$20, citing the continued 20% export tax and an additional 4% increase imposed by the Indian government. These increases, coupled with prior logistical challenges and cost increases, made it inevitable to raise the rice price to $18.50. This increase aims to cover the heightened costs while ensuring no shortages and maintaining different varieties of rice at a lower price on the local market.

FrontPageAfrica gathered that the importers, during the negotiation, also committed to investing in local rice production, initially pledging US$200,000 with intentions to increase investment. The Ministry of Commerce hopes that this could mitigate reliance on imported rice and stabilize local rice prices in the long term.

The World Bank in its commodity report in 2023 had predicted that the price of rice would increase by a further 6 percent in 2024, underpinned by “the threat of El Niño, policy responses from significant exporters and importers, and the geographic and market concentrations of rice production and exports.”

The World Bank predicted, “Rice prices will remain high into 2024, assuming India maintains its export restrictions. The outlook assumes a moderate-to-strong El Niño.”

The bank’s commodity report published on Oct. 30 said rice prices had reached their highest point in the third quarter of 2023 since the 2007-2008 food crises due to the Hamas-Israel conflict and El Niño.

While India’s controls benefit its own consumers, for the billions elsewhere in Asia and in Africa who depend on a stable rice supply, continued high prices could increase food insecurity.

In Nigeria, the cost of rice increased by 61% from September through November last year and continues to experience increments in prices.

El Niño is a climate event that can cause extreme weather events around the world, including droughts, wildfires, heatwaves, flooding, and tropical storms. It occurs when warmer water spreads further and stays closer to the surface of the ocean, releasing more heat into the atmosphere and creating warmer and wetter air.

MONROVIA – The use of private jets by the President for international trips has always sparked criticism over its cost to taxpayers, particularly as the country’s economy continues to struggle. The former President was heavily criticized by the now-ruling Unity Party for this practice when it was an opposition party, but now, as a ruling party, the trend seems to be adopted.

By Lennart Dodoo

From the onset of the regime, just a fortnight after the inauguration, Vice President Jeremiah Koung was captured boarding a private jet leaving Liberia. He came under fire for engaging in the acts that they criticized, for which former President George Weah was voted out in the November 2023 run-off election.

The Vice President, in his own defense, explained that the private jet was not chartered by him; rather, he was offered a ride by a Ghanaian businessman who was also en route from Monrovia to Accra. According to Vice President Koung, he was on his way to Nigeria to represent President Boakai at the Bayelsa State Governor’s Inauguration.

The flying of private jets was a major issue during the administration of former President George Weah, who reportedly spent huge sums of money on private jets during his presidency.

Upon his return from the Africa Business Summit in the United States on Tuesday, President Boakai told journalists that he flew commercial because Liberia does not have a plane of its own and he would continue to fly commercial unless someone decides to send a private jet for him.

However, on Wednesday morning, President Boakai was seen boarding a private jet with tail number CN-SYA bound for Guinea Bissau. The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs told reporters at the Roberts International Airport that the President was paying a one-day working visit to the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, to discuss issues affecting the ECOWAS region.

In addition to his use of a private jet, there are also concerns about why President Boakai would be conferring with the President of Guinea Bissau on issues affecting ECOWAS when the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, chairs the regional body.

FrontPageAfrica’s research on the plane established that the plane is registered as a private jet, but the owner’s information remains private. The flight information also revealed that the private jet arrived in Monrovia from Morocco on Tuesday at 11:47 PM, just about the same time President Boakai arrived from the United States. The plane remained at the airport and then took President Boakai to and from Guinea Bissau while making brief stops in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The Presidential Press Secretary failed to respond to FrontPageAfrica’s request for comment on how the President acquired the private jet for his trip.

MONROVIA – Liberia is on the verge of experiencing another shortage of petroleum products, but it is an artificial shortage resulting from hoarding by major importers due to an unsettled agreement with the government regarding a pump price increment.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Since the beginning of this week, motorists have been experiencing long queues at some filling stations around Monrovia. On Tuesday, Aminata filling station restricted the selling of petrol to only customers with coupons while PetroTrade and Connex claimed they were out of stock. This situation is reminiscent of a similar occurrence at the beginning of the Weah-led government, which degenerated into an acute shortage that heavily impacted citizens and the economy.

However, FrontPageAfrica has learned that the ongoing scarcity is the result of coercion by importers and dealers of petroleum products who have been negotiating with the Joseph Boakai-led government to institute an increment in the retail price of gasoline and diesel, but to no avail.

In March 2024, President Boakai issued an Executive Order to reduce the cost of petroleum products by 20 cents to alleviate the cost of living. However, petroleum dealers claim that the current price imposed by the Ministry of Commerce is having an adverse effect on their business and may hamper their ability to import more products into the country.

A dealer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told FrontPageAfrica that Liberia has not run out of stock, but dealers are being cautious and employing a business strategy to compel the government to consider their demand.

The source stated, “There was a meeting held and there was supposed to be an increment in pump price and a deduction in LPRC storage handling. There was a meeting held on Saturday, and after that meeting, it was agreed that there would be some changes whereby everybody would benefit. All of a sudden, the Minister of Commerce is not here, and the LPRC Managing Director also doesn’t want to sign. So now, nobody wants to sell because everybody believes that there will be an increment.”

The source said both Connex and Aminata have sufficient petroleum products in their storage facilities, and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) has been holding onto it until the increment is instituted.

FrontPageAfrica could not get comments from Aminata and Connex.

However, the Managing Director of LPRC, Mr. Amos Tweh, told FrontPageAfrica that the government is not in a position to offer any increment in the pump price of petroleum products.

According to Mr. Tweh, there is enough petroleum product available in the country to meet the demand, so any shortage would result from coercion by importers and dealers to arm-twist the government to meet their demands.

Tweh said: “There have been issues with importers on pricing which we have been discussing with them. All I can say is that LPRC has enough product in the country, and beginning tomorrow, vessels will bring sufficient products for Liberian consumers. Any information you’re receiving is either an attempt to create an artificial shortage to force the government to increase the pump price of petroleum products.”

It remains unclear how long the importers will continue hoarding their petroleum products.

During the hearing of the 2024 National Budget at the Legislature, Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh, opined that President Boakai’s Executive Order #128, suspending surcharges on petroleum pricing, provided a windfall for importers while creating a deficit in the National Budget.

Sen. Konneh stated, “Given the sensitivity of the petroleum sector to exogenous situations beyond our control, permanent relief to citizens can only be achieved if the lower prices can also incentivize consumer spending to stimulate economic activity, thereby increasing tax revenue from other sources, partially offsetting the loss in surcharges on petroleum. This waived amount doesn’t benefit the pump price; it rather creates a windfall for the petroleum dealers. While we expect EO #128 to stimulate economic activity if enforced, the short to medium-term consequences it creates for the budget are serious and require immediate action.”

MONROVIA – The Catholic Church in Liberia witnessed a historic moment on Saturday, May 4, as Very Rev. Monsignor Dr. Gabriel Blamo Snosio Jubwe was ordained as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. The event, held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, was attended by international delegates, dignitaries, and representatives from the Vatican, as well as various African countries.

By Lennart Dodoo

The Pontifical Mass, attended by delegates from the Vatican in Rome, Italy, the United States of America, Europe, and other parts of Africa, marked a significant transition within the Catholic Church in Liberia.

Monsignor Jubwe’s elevation to the position of Archbishop makes him the first prelate to undergo this transition within the Catholic Church in Liberia. He succeeds Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeglier and Michael Kpakala Francis, both deceased. Archbishop Zeglier resigned in 2021 before his passing in August 2022.

In a letter dated February 28, 2024, Pope Francis officially appointed Monsignor Jubwe as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. The appointment was transmitted through the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Walter Erbi.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Consecrator, a representative of Pope Francis, called on Archbishop Jubwe to prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable, especially in such difficult times. He urged Archbishop Jubwe to lead in accordance with God’s words and for the betterment of God’s kingdom, seeking consultation with his lieutenants.

“As you embark upon this journey, do not forget about the poor and God’s people who are in search of comfort. You have to be their source of strength and inspiration,” the Chief Consecrator emphasized, urging the Catholic community to support their new leader in ensuring the success of his reign.

Archbishop Jubwe’s ascension comes as a welcome development for the Liberian Catholic community, which has been in search of an outstanding and visionary spiritual leader since the passing of Archbishop Francis in 2013. Archbishop Francis was known for his advocacy for justice, human rights, and good governance. He fearlessly spoke truth to power and served as the moral conscience of society, particularly during the oppressive regimes of Samuel Doe and Charles Taylor.

Monsignor Jubwe brings over four decades of experience in various leadership roles within the Archdiocese of Monrovia to his new position. He has served as Rector of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Vicar General, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Rector of the Saint Paul Major Seminary in Gbarnga, and member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, among other roles.

The ordination ceremony was followed by a thanksgiving mass, underscoring the significance of this historic occasion in the Catholic Church in Liberia. Regional prelates from the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, as well as local bishops and lay faithful from the three dioceses in Liberia, namely Cape Palmas, Gbarnga, and the Archdiocese of Monrovia, graced the event.

Born on September 7, 1958, in Lagos, Nigeria, Monsignor Gabriel Blamo Jubwe was ordained a priest on December 18, 1983, for the Archdiocese of Monrovia. He holds a doctorate in liturgy from the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm. Prior to his appointment as Archbishop, he served as the diocesan administrator and parish priest of Saint Pius X in Monrovia. He is known for his extensive pastoral experience, scholarly contributions, and commitment to the Church’s mission.

MONROVIA – Western Cluster Limited has fallen out of favor not only with the Senators of its operational counties, but also with the President, who has threatened to close the mining company in Liberia’s impoverished western region.

By Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Western Cluster Limited – Its Beginning

Western Cluster Limited is a subsidiary of Elenilto Minerals & Mining, an international mining and exploration group. The company’s holds exploration and mining licenses for several iron ore deposits in Liberia and its key projects the Bomi Hills Iron Ore Project: One of Western Cluster’s main projects, located in Bomi County where it’s carrying out exploration and feasibility studies. It also has the Mano River Iron Ore Project which is situated in Grand Cape Mount County.

Its name derives from its area of operation in the western part of the country – The Western Cluster – which comprises Bomi Hills, Bea Mountain and Mano River. The deposits are spread out along an old railway line that runs from Mano River in the north to Monrovia on the coast. The Western Cluster has an estimated potential of 3 billion tons of iron ore, with an annual production of 30 million tons. The ore is made up of quartz, hematite, magnetite, martite, and limonite.

In 2008, Delta Mining Consolidated won a US$1.5 billion bid to develop the Western Cluster Iron Ore Deposit in Liberia. However, the company’s reputation was tarnished by allegations of bribery, leading to its disqualification. Subsequently, the concession was granted to Elenilto Minerals and Mining in 2010, despite warnings from experts about the company’s lack of experience. Sesa Goa Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta PLC, acquired 51% of Western Cluster Limited from Elenilto for US$90 million in a ‘flip’ deal. Sesa Goa later purchased Elenilto’s remaining stake in the project for $33 million. However, the Ebola outbreak in Liberia in 2014 and low iron ore prices prevented the commencement of the project, leading Western Cluster Limited to temporarily abandon it in anticipation of better market conditions. As part of the agreement, Western Cluster Limited is obligated to pay US$2.8 million annually in social development funds to the affected counties (Bomi, Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu), as well as government taxes and royalties. Additionally, the company is responsible for rebuilding the railroad infrastructure, among other obligations.

The Return

On June 4, 2022, Senator Edwin M. Snowe of Bomi County announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Liberia and Western Cluster Limited for the commencement of an iron ore project.

During a citizens’ meeting in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, Sen. Snowe revealed that the Liberian government had waived US$10 million of the US$20 million in taxes owed by Western Cluster. Additionally, he stated that the government would grant Western Cluster a Class ‘A’ mining license and a road user permit to facilitate the project’s initiation.

Snowe outlined further financial arrangements, noting that Western Cluster would make an upfront payment of $5 million in taxes owed to the government and $4.5 million to rehabilitate the Monrovia-Tubmanburg highway.

Expressing optimism about the project’s potential impact on the country, Snowe disclosed that Western Cluster Limited aimed to ship two million tons of iron ore in the first year. He urged citizens of Bomi County to coordinate a suitable time, preferably at night, to facilitate the transportation of the ore to the Freeport of Monrovia.

The Sticky Issues

However, concerns persisted regarding the transportation of the ore. The process would necessitate hundreds of trucks and earth-moving equipment, potentially leading to traffic restrictions, endangering motorists, posing environmental risks, and further damaging the already dilapidated roads.

The damage these trucks continue to cause the roads in Gbarpolu, Bomi and the freeway leading to the Freeport of Monrovia has caught the attention of Pres. Boakai who does not see the essence of the company in the country and has threatened to close Western Cluster Limited.

The Fallout

During an inspection of ongoing road rehabilitation project in Bomi on Tuesday, Pres. Boakai said, “I just met the lawyer for Western Cluster this morning and I told him we’re going to close them down. Minister let me tell you, if we don’t close Western Cluster down, we’ll lose the bridges, we’ll lose those bridges and it’ll be disastrous… I went on the hill the last time, Western Cluster is not mining, they’re just taking our resources and we get no reward for it. I told him emphatically this morning that we’re going to close them down… If they want to invest further, then build a railway.”

Pres. Boakai recalled how plying the road during the election campaign was an upheld task due to its deteriorated condition.

The President has also gotten the backing of Sen. Snowe, who was part of the delegation that traveled to India to negotiate the comeback of Western Cluster Limited. Following the President’s threat to close down the company, FrontPageAfrica inquired from the Bomi County Senator his stance on the President’s pending action. Sen. Snowe replied, “Western Cluster cannot continue to truck on that road. It is unacceptable. In their agreement with the government, they agreed to construct a railroad in three years. We are almost in year three and absolutely no sign of any railroad construction. I think they acted in bad faith and so I fully support the closure of Western Cluster.”

Senator Amara Konneh, Senator for Gbarpolu County recently informed Plenary of the Senate of the road destruction Western Cluster Limited had been carrying out on the roads in his county and sought the intervention of the body.

Responding the President’s quest to shut the company, Sen. Konneh told FrontPageAfrica, “I support the President’s threats because the Western Cluster has not met the main elements of its commitments in the Mineral Development Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding which authorized it to truck iron ore, which had expired. They have not only damaged the road, but their trucking activities pose a threat to motorists and pedestrians. It is about time to bring them to book.”

When pressed by FPA whether he is not concerned about the number of jobs residents of his county may lose, he stated, “Not really. The damage to infrastructure and the loss of lives far outweigh the few jobs they’ve created. Moreover, most of the trucks belong to officials of the Weah regime, crowding out ordinary Liberians who rely on their trucks for their livelihood.”

MONROVIA – When the Executive Mansion issued a statement on President Joseph Boakai welcoming the Supreme Court’s ruling that it was illegal for him to have arbitrarily removed tenure position holders who still had time left in their tenure, he was hailed by many for his adherence to the rule of law.

By Lennart Dodoo

The April 25 press release stated: President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has welcomed the rulings of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia relative to recent nominations at some government institutions. The President reaffirms his commitment to upholding the rule of law and will, therefore, honor the rulings of the High Court. President Boakai believes that strict adherence to the rule of law is fundamental to strengthening institutions and building a vibrant democracy.

President Boakai, upon his inauguration, attempted to replace the chairperson and commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), the Chairperson at the Governance Commission, heads of the National Identification Registry, and the Liberia National Lottery Authority. The holders of these tenure positions were appointed by former President George Weah.

“There being no showing of the existence of any of the conditions for the petitioner’s removal from office as stipulated in the Acts Creating the respective entities to which the petitioners are appointed, their said removal from office prior to the expiry of their tenure without due process is ultra vires,” the Supreme Court ruled, barring their removal through new nominations to their posts. The Court’s ruling was predicated upon the fact that the Boakai-led government had raised no issues of gross ethical transgression on these tenure position holders for which they must be removed and replaced.

However, barely 24 hours after accepting the ruling from the Court and indicating that the said ruling would guide future administrative action across all government institutions, the President suddenly suspended all chairpersons and commissioners of the LTA and also at the Governance Commission while replacing them with the very nominees he initially named that led to the intervention of the Supreme Court.

The Executive Mansion stated in a release announcing the suspension of the LTA officials President Boakai, “has suspended, with immediate effect, Madam Edwina C. Zackpah, Mr. Israel Akinsanya, Mr. Zotawon D. Titus, Mr. James Gbarwea, and Mr. Osborne K. Diggs, Chairperson and Commissioners, respectively of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority for allegations of questionable financial transactions and other malpractices at the Authority. The President has requested a comprehensive audit of the LTA by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to investigate the allegations at the Authority. He urged the suspended officials to cooperate fully with the GAC as they undertake the investigation.”

At the same time, he named Mr. Ambullah L. Kamara, Mrs. Angela Cassell Bush, Mr. Clarence K. Massaquoi, Mr. Ben A. Fofana, and Mr. Patrick Honnah as Acting Chairperson and Acting Commissioners, respectively, pending the finality of the General Auditing Commission’s audit. They were all previously nominated to the positions they would now be acting in. The President believes that these appointments will ensure continuity and stability in the affairs of the LTA until the final audit report is released.

In a separate release, the Executive Mansion announced the suspension of Mr. Garrison Yealue, Chairperson, and Madam Elizabeth Dorkin, Commissioner of the Governance Commission with immediate effect for activities inconsistent with the Act creating the institution. The release, however, did not mention those activities but stated that the President has established a committee to investigate the matter and present a report.

The naming of the very nominees to act in the positions of the suspended officials has sparked a debate on the President’s true intentions. Mr. William Gilbert, a resident of Matadi, opined that while he welcomes the push for accountability, the manner in which the President proceeded leaves one to believe that his decision is only a political maneuver to still get those officials out of his government. “Just yesterday he welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling and then today, he’s suspending them because of perceived financial improprieties. When did he get to know that? Why wouldn’t we believe that he is just forcing it for those he named earlier to still take the position? I feel the President is not being sincere here,” he said.

Mr. Randall Dobayou, a steward of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) posted on Facebook: “The Supreme Court has ordered that he should withdraw all those he nominated to those tenure positions with immediate effect. Instead of adhering to the court’s order, he has doubled down by re-appointing those very people while removing those who defeated him face-down in the court of law. He has no authority to remove these people consistent with the court’s ruling; there is no precedent grounded in the law as such, especially when his intention to remove these people initially was deemed illegal by the Court! He has disobeyed the court by failing to withdraw those he has appointed to replace the current occupants of those positions.”

Others counter-argue that the President has taken the right step towards fighting corruption. “There was too much corruption in the Weah-led government, and if there is reason to believe that a lot of corruption took place at the LTA, then, they have to be suspended by the GAC as it conducts an audit. They cannot be on the job while the audit is going on. They might manipulate the audit or take seizure of important records,” said Cecilia Tokpah, a student at the University of Liberia.

A civil servant who asked for anonymity stated, “For me, I support the audit of the LTA. I also support the suspension of the chairperson and the commissioners, but there must be solid proof that they engaged in corruption. We should not condone witch-hunting only to give our friends jobs. While Pres. Boakai might appear to be doing what is right, let’s also be cautious of the inner motives. We must be sincere in our governance process,” she said.

Monrovia – Following the suspension of all members of the Board of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority, armed officers from the Liberia National Police stormed the LTA headquarters, demanding to search the vehicles and bags of employees before leaving the premises.

FrontPageAfrica learned that the armed officers were acting under the instruction of Police Unit 105, reportedly acting on a tip-off alleging that LTA employees were removing assets and documents belonging to the Authority.

Without a search warrant, the police stopped a woman identified by FrontPageAfrica as Mrs. Louise Chea, the special assistant to the suspended Chairperson of the LTA.

Mrs. Chea raised concerns over why she was being surrounded by armed officers without a warrant. Initially, she insisted that her vehicle would not be searched without proper authorization. After nearly an hour of negotiation, she allowed the search of her vehicle to proceed.

“They came intimidating me with their weapons. I have my minor in the car and they came with their weapons saying they want to search my car. I asked them for the communication that permits them to search my car but they can’t show me any,” she said.

During the search, the police found two laptops in her car. One, she claimed, belonged to her husband, while the other was her assigned laptop. Mrs. Chea refused to allow the police to take custody of the laptop they intended to transport to Zone 3 Depot. Her refusal led to a standoff with the police until the arrival of Cllr. Phil Tarpeh Dixon, who identified himself as the general counsel for the LTA.

Cllr. Dixon negotiated an agreement with the police, stating that the laptop could not be taken to the depot since it was not part of a theft case and contains sensitive client and institutional information that are confidential. Therefore, it was decided that the laptop would remain in the office.

Cllr. Dixon informed the police that it was an infringement of her privacy for her vehicle or private property to be searched without any warrant from the court. However, he advised her to allow them carry out the search since it was a special situation.

FrontPageAfrica gathered that the armed police men would remain at the facility until Monday.

Earlier today, the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., suspended Madam Edwina C. Zackpah, Mr. Israel Akinsanya, Mr. Zotawon D. Titus, Mr. James Gbarwea, and Mr. Osborne K. Diggs, Chairperson and Commissioners, respectively, of the Liberia Telecommunication Authority. The suspension was due to allegations of questionable financial transactions and other malpractices at the Authority.

The President requested a comprehensive audit of the LTA by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to investigate the allegations at the Authority. He urged the suspended officials to fully cooperate with the GAC during the investigation.

Their suspension came barely two days after the Supreme Court ruled that it was illegal for the President to have made new nominations to tenure positions while the current occupants’ tenure was still active.

The LTA is a critical institution responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector in the country, and it should uphold high standards of integrity and accountability in carrying out its mandate.

Monrovia — Liberia’s economic future is at a critical juncture, with the Government facing serious budget deficits and revenue challenges even ahead of the passage of the 2024 Draft National Budget.

By Lennart Dodoo

FrontPageAfrica has seen a memo addressed to the House and Senate Committees on Ways, Means and Finance by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh who has urged the heads of these committees to prioritize revenue over expenditure when deliberating the Budget.

The April 15 memo obtained by FrontPageAfrica reveals that there would be a US$10.7 million deficit in the Budget. This deficit, Sen. Konneh opined, occurred just a week after the submission Budget when President Joseph Boakai issued Executive Order 128 suspending surcharges on petroleum prices.

Sen. Konneh, as per the memo, indicated to his colleagues that while Executive Order 128 aimed to provide relief for citizens by lowering the petroleum prices, it resulted in an immediate budget deficit, as surcharge revenues were waived, benefiting petroleum dealers instead of consumers.

The memo: “Given the sensitivity of the petroleum sector to exogenous situations beyond our control, permanent relief to citizens can only be achieved if the lower prices can also incentivize consumer spending to stimulate economic activity as expected to increase tax revenue from other sources, partially offsetting the loss in surcharges on petroleum. This waived amount doesn’t benefit the pump price; it rather creates a windfall for the petroleum dealers. While we expect EO #128 to stimulate economic activity if enforced, the short to medium-term consequences it creates for the budget are serious and require immediate action. Moreover, there is a noticeable decline in revenue contributions from nearly every economic sector.”

Senator Konneh’s action memo called for the urgent need for additional revenue mobilization and expenditure reallocation to address the deficit. He urged the the Revenue Sub-Committee of the Ways and Means Committee to review various revenue components and take necessary steps to increase revenue.

Key recommendations for revenue mobilization include:

Reviewing the telecom sector’s contribution, which has been declining despite the significant number of mobile connections in Liberia.

Assessing data surcharges and universal access fees in the telecom sector.

Understanding the reasons behind declining contributions from sectors such as banking, hospitality, insurance, agriculture, mining, forestry, trade, and commerce.

Investigating the causes of declining contributions from the manufacturing sector and identifying strategies for restoration.

Adjusting the Personal Income Tax (PIT) table to reflect changes in the exchange rate, ensuring that taxpayers are not overburdened.

He furhter explained: “One important point to make is the adjustment of the Personal Income Tax Table. Section 8 of the Revenue Code on PIT says “If, during a calendar year,

the average market rate of exchange between the US and Liberian dollar changes by 10 or more basis points from the average rate prevailing for the preceding calendar year, the Minister of Finance shall make an inflation adjustment to the Liberian dollar amount set out in the code”. When the Code was amended in 2011, the government wanted the exempt people earning less than US$81 from paying PIT. Today, due to the depreciation of the Liberian dollar and the state’s refusal to adjust the table, people earning below US$30 are being taxed. And all others are being overtaxed for PIT. The Government must adjust the PIT table but its refusal is due to the potential revenue loss. The current exempt threshold is 0 to 70K Liberian dollars which was set when the rate was under 90LRD to a US dollar. At the prevailing rate, the exempt threshold should be from 0 to about 200K with corresponding adjustments to the other bands.”

In addition to revenue mobilization, Senator Konneh proposes efficient reallocations of expenditures to meet growth targets. Priority sectors for growth enhancements include health, public works, agriculture, and education. The reallocation of funds from debt servicing, security, and public administration is suggested to fund these priority areas without sacrificing service delivery.

To further address the deficit and increase revenue, Senator Konneh suggests reducing the size of the Government. He recommended stopping the allocation of public resources to State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that are not revenue-generating and taking legislative action on those that need to be dissolved.

Through a table illustrating withholdings from SOEs and SMEs, Sen. Konneh raised concerns over the decline in withholdings from SOEs, while SME withholdings have shown a significant increase.

“We need to understand the decline for SOEs and the huge jump for SMEs to establish if SOEs are remitting withholdings and LRA’s ability to collect the big jump in SMEs contribution, respectively,” he stated in the Memo to his colleagues.

He pondered what has changed consideirng SMEs are are estimated to contribute $8.5 million in taxes which marks an increase of US$1.4 million over the 2023 actual contribution, it still falls short of the 2022 contribution of $9.6 million.

Greetings Col. Coleman,

I commend the Liberia National Police for their vigilance in ensuring security, particularly through the inspection of vehicles at night. However, I must draw your attention to a matter of concern regarding the discretion exercised by some of your officers, which, instead of safeguarding lives, has the potential to endanger them. As the adage goes, the police are there to save lives and protect property.

I speak from personal experience. Recently, while returning from Lamco Camp, Palala, Bong County, I encountered a group of officers inspecting vehicles at Vamoma Junction just after midnight. Despite the late hour and a long journey, I cooperated fully when stopped by an officer who inspected the trunk of my vehicle. However, what followed was concerning.

Upon request, I presented my vehicle registration, which was in order. However, when asked for my driver’s license, I realized I had my wife’s license instead of my own. I explained that my wife and I often switch cars, and it was likely that my license was in hers, as hers was in mine. I provided the officer with multiple forms of identification that matched the car registration and even disclosed my place of employment. Despite this, my vehicle was impounded at 12 am, leaving me vulnerable to the very dangers the police are meant to protect against.

This incident left me both terrified and confused, especially considering the ongoing case of Amanda Nebo. As a journalist, I am even at a greater risk, and your officers needlessly exposed me to further danger. With no alternative, I was forced to continue my journey on a commercial motorcycle, operated by an unregistered and unlicensed rider, I guess. However, it seems this was of little concern to the police.

Col. Coleman, I am aware that police officers are entitled to exercise discretion in the execution of their duties. However, I believe this should involve a thorough assessment of the situation’s risks before making a decision. If anything had happened to me, what would the police have said? My blood would have been on your hands.

I bring this matter to your attention not only for my own sake but also out of concern for the safety of others who may fall victim to similar decisions made by your officers.

I trust that you will take appropriate action to address this issue promptly.

Yours sincerely,

Lennart Dodoo
Editor, FrontPageAfrica