SUAKOKO, Bong County – Nimba County Senator Samuel Kogar has called for strict adherence to the constitutional budget process after Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung announced Saturday the government’s intention to support electricity expansion at Cuttington University during the institution’s 64th Commencement Convocation.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
Speaking with journalists following the graduation ceremony, Senator Kogar said while he welcomed government’s efforts aimed at improving higher education, commitments involving public resources should first be approved through the national budget before they are publicly announced.
The Vice President, serving as keynote speaker, told graduates and university officials that the government intends to undertake initiatives to improve the institution’s infrastructure, including a proposed solar electrification project intended to enhance electricity supply on campus.
Responding to the announcement, Senator Kogar emphasized that development initiatives financed by the government should be implemented in accordance with Liberia’s constitutional and financial management laws.
He argued that following established budgetary procedures promotes transparency, strengthens public confidence, and ensures legislative oversight of public expenditures.
“The approach to the public should be clear and transparent,” Senator Kogar said. “When you commit government resources, there should be an appropriation in the national budget approved by the Legislature. Government commitments should not appear as personal promises.”
Senator Kogar also clarified that his remarks were directed at the Office of the Vice President rather than Vice President Koung in his personal capacity.
“I am not speaking to Jeremiah Koung as an individual,” he said. “I am speaking to him as Vice President of the Republic of Liberia because he spoke on behalf of the government.”
The senator further rejected suggestions that his position was politically motivated, saying his concerns centered on accountability, transparency, and respect for constitutional governance. He also dismissed speculation that his comments were influenced by not being formally recognized during the commencement program, explaining that he attended primarily to celebrate his daughter’s graduation with a master’s degree.
The senator stressed that his comments were not intended as opposition to assistance for Cuttington University, noting that he fully supports investments in higher education. He maintained, however, that every commitment involving public funds should pass through the legally established appropriation process before implementation.
Despite raising concerns about the procedure surrounding the government’s announcement, Senator Kogar praised the Vice President’s emphasis on character and ethical leadership during his commencement address, describing that aspect of the speech as an important message for graduates.
