โฆ..ย As he ๐ท๐๐๐๐ ๐ย ๐๐rย forgivenessย ๐จ๐๐๐ ๐๐ย ๐จ๐๐๐๐๐๐
The Honorable House of Representatives- HOR, has pardoned Finance Development Planning Minister, Boima Kamara, based on a passionate appeal over ailment.
Minister Kamara, appealed his recent deliberate absences before the august body Tuesday during the 14th Day sitting of the 2nd Quarter. The House of Representatives, last week Thursday, invoked its Contempt Power as outlined in rule four, on the Finance Minister for repeated failure to appear before it.
He was cited to among other things, discuss key financial matters including updates about Liberiaโs consolidated accounts and bank balances, and validate reports from the Liberia Revenue Authority on revenue collection. Minister BoimahKamara unexcused absences among other things, obstructed legislative functions preceding a contempt charge. For his part, Finance Minister, Boima Kamara, remained apologetic during his Tuesday, July 2, 2024, appearance before the House of Representatives.
Finance Minister Kamara sought the mercy of the body over ailment. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives pardoned the Finance Minister, cautioning him not to compromise the duties and functions of the legislature over mere issues.
Last week, Plenary requested the Minister to provide evidence to justify why he should not be held in contempt for impeding the work of the legislative body, but again Thursday he refused to show up; something the legislative body termed as disrespectful thereby charging him with contempt.
During Thursdayโs session, the House invoked its Contempt Power as outlined in rule four, citing actions that obstruct legislative function as grounds for contempt.
According to the Houseโs Rules and Procedures, the Finance Ministerโs failure to appear for the fourth time triggered his punishment for contempt which can include a fine of up to LD$5,000 or imprisonment for up to one month, or the duration of the current session of the House. The decisions made in contempt cases are not subject to appeal.
Minister Kamara, along with officials from the Liberia Revenue Authority, Internal Affairs, and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, were invited to provide financial updates on consolidated accounts and bank balances and validate reports from the Liberia Revenue Authority on revenue collection.
While all other parties have cooperated, the failure of the Ministry of Finance to appear has been considered contemptuous. LRA Appearance On June 18, 2024, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Jallahappeared before the plenary of the House of Representatives (HoR) and noted that out of the total approved budget of US$738,860,000, US$316,449,000, or 43 percent, has been collected.
According to him, this amount outweighs the mid-year target of US$308,612,000. Commissions Jallah stated that the remaining portion to be collected is US$434,368,000. He clarified that the revenue generated so far is from domestic sources.
Moreover, he expressed concern that tax incentives on goods and services are reducing revenue. He urged the Legislature to reconsider its decisions regarding the awarding of tax incentives. Additionally, he noted that while some revenue-generating agencies are remitting their income, others have not.
He identified the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), the National Port Authority (NPA), and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) as agencies that have not remitted their budgeted revenue. He specifically mentioned that the LPRAโs revenue-generating process is not progressive, as it only remits twice a year.
