-Cites Minister of State, Finance Minister
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Plenary of the 55th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia has cited the Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to appear next Tuesday, February 27, 2024, to provide detailed information on the President and Vice President’s travels.
The House reached its decision during the 13th day sitting of the 1st quarter of the 1st session of the 55th legislature, following a communication from Montserrado County District #10 RepresentativeYekeh Y. Kolubah, craving its indulgence to invite the Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to appear before the plenary of the House to provide detailed information on the President and Vice President tribals.
“Dear Hon. Speaker and distinguished colleagues: I present you compliments and wish to draw your attention to some important matter that warrants our action. Over the period, Mr. Speaker and Distinguished Colleagues, we have cried on the issues of corruption (Accountability and Transparency) which are among the issues that led to the failure of the Weah-led Government, especially the failure of its re-election. When samples of those things start to come out, it is our responsibility to set checkpoints so that they cannot go out of hand before trying to arrest the situation.”
He referenced: “Meanwhile, the President of Liberia wrote this body informing us about his two-working days visit to Ghana; and the Vice President also went to Nigeria and Casablanca which are also working visits. We believe such trips require the government’s sponsorship. And if it is not the government-sponsored trips, we need to know as the people deputies.”
Besides, he says it became a concern when it was stated that the Vice President traveled on a private jet plane. “Considering that we don’t want to do business as usual, we crave the indulgence of this August Body to invite the Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Presidential Affairs to appear before the plenary of the House to provide detailed information as stated below: 1. The Travel cost of the various travels by the President and Vice President as stated above.”
Among others are the owner of the private plane used by Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung since it is been speculated that the owner of the plane is the Vice President’s friend and details about the expenditures of the respective trips.
Following a motion to guarantee the decision, thirty-five (35)lawmakers voted for the various ministers to appear, four (4)lawmakers voted against, and five (5) abstained from the process.
