Liberia News: ‘Recast Budget Criminally Passed’

By Perry B. Zordyu

Liberia-Montserrado County Representative Yekeh Kolubah is fuming at the passage of the 2024 recast budget, describing the process to be laden with criminality.
Rep. Kolubah said passing the national budget at mid-night by lawmakers who have been paid was not an appropriate decision.
The Montserrado County District #10 lawmaker stressed that with the communication by President Joseph Boakai extending the sitting of lawmakers clearly shows that the budget was to be withheld.
Kolubah asserted that Liberia’s problem is the Legislature adding that they have all right to summon the President over the alleged alterations.
The tough-talking lawmaker stated that without knowing the alleged perpetrator who altered the budget before passing particularly the form and time which it was passed indicates the immaturity and decisive leadership of Speaker Koffa.
He pointed out that Senate Pro-tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is truly involved into the alleged budget fingering noting that she is solely aligning with the Executive and using her power to pass what he terms as a 4G criminal budget.
“Look, at times, I’m disappointed in our colleagues most especially this government. We criticized former President George Weah of passing 4G budget. Due to that, we campaign vehemently to not repeat those things and now it has started,” he added.
At the same time, Representative Kolubah has alleged that Finance Minister, Augustine Ngafuan master-minded the passage of the budget which according to him, undermines the true nature of fairness.
“In fact, what was the Finance Minister doing at the Capitol Building 8:00 PM Friday night? Is because he wanted our colleagues to speedily pass the recast budget that was even altered. This is not what the Liberian people elected you for Mr. President. It was frustrating to see my friend Dixon Seeboe backing the Executive who I believed he was not in his right mind but this too, is Liberia.”
The Montserrado County lawmaker added, “Let the Liberian people know that the primary objectives of removing former President Weah has started to repeat itself. Liberia matters and the people should enjoy their labour.”
Kolubah’s statement follows recently passage of the recast budget by members of the Legislature at night hours.
Delay in the passage of the budget has been mongering for weeks pointing to alleged alterations which perpetrator is yet to be known.
Rep. Kolubah spoke over the weekend at his Breakage Base on the Old Road, outside Monrovia.