Monrovia – Mr. Dorbor Jallah has announced that he will delay assuming his new role as Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) until March 1, 2024. This delay, he says, is not due to any reluctance on his part but rather to fulfill his existing obligations.

By Henry Karmo henry.karmo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Mr. Jallah explained that following his confirmation by the Senate, he provided a one-month notice of resignation to his current employer, The Carter Center, effective March 1, 2024. “I will take over at the LRA on March 1, 2024. Being in a senior-level position at my current employer, I could not just wake up and leave. This is best practice and is in conformity with the policy of the organization,” said Mr. Jallah.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Jallah served as the head of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) of Liberia.

The confirmation of government nominees by the Liberian Senate is in accordance with Article 54 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, which empowers the President to nominate and, with the consent of the Senate, appoint various officials.

Since Mr. Jallah’s appointment, there have been criticisms regarding a perceived “violation” of the act creating the LRA. Some have argued that despite his academic qualifications, he may not possess the requisite qualifications specified by the act.

Section 19 of the act establishing the LRA mandates that the President nominate, with the Senate’s consent, a Commissioner General and two deputies who must possess advanced or professional qualifications in finance, accounting, economics, public policy administration, taxation management law, or other disciplines related to tax administration.

Despite these concerns and criticisms, some civil society groups, including the Progressive Liberians Network for Development (PLND), have commended President Joseph Boakai for nominating James Dorbor Jallah to the Liberia Revenue Authority.

In a statement, the Executive Director of the Progressive Liberians Network for Development, Melvin Sloh Doweh, asserted that Mr. Jallah’s confirmation would serve as a beacon of hope for enhancing revenue generation.

According to the group, Mr. Jallah’s years of experience in both the private and public sectors add value to President Boakai’s vision for his team, aimed at transforming human livelihoods and enhancing national development.