-As HOR holds him in contempt
Liberia’s Minister of Finance Development and Planning, Boima Kamara, now faces potential incarceration over a contempt charge as the House of Representatives has summoned him to appear before them on Tuesday.
The Plenary has 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 has termed as disrespectful thereby charging him with contempt.
During Thursday’s 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 House’s Rules and Procedures, the Finance Minister’s 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 Jallah appeared 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 LPRA’s revenue-generating process is not progressive, as it only remits twice a year.
Tweah’s photocopy
Minister Boimah Kamara’s refusal to comply with legislative requests appears similar to his predecessor, former Finance Minister Samuel Tweah who did the same on countless occasions. Of all officials of the past government, the ex-Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah was notorious for his repeated disrespect to the House of Representatives of the 54th National Legislature.
Mr. Tweah on multiple occasions deliberately trashed citations extended to him by the House of Representatives of the 54th National Legislature of the Republic of Liberia. In its last attempt before their (Weah’s administration) exit, the House of Representatives- HOR cited Minister Samuel D. Tweah, to provide a reason why he should not have been held in contempt for repeated unexcused absences before the august body.
