MONROVIA – When President Joseph Nyuma Boakai suspended a string of officials across multiple government institutions, the action was initially welcomed by many as a move toward transparency and accountability. Among those voices was Anderson D. Miamen, a leading figure in civil society, who applauded the decision but cautioned that without timely investigations and public disclosure, the suspensions risk becoming empty gestures. His concern is shared by a growing number of Liberians who are now asking the same question: What is happening to the millions of dollars tied to these institutions?
The Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) may not receive a significant share of the national budget, but it plays a critical role in delivering basic education to Liberian children. However, the institution is now at the center of controversy following unauthorized procurement decisions amounting to over US$1.6 million and growing unrest among teachers and students. At the core of the crisis is Superintendent James A.S. Momoh’s unilateral decision to procure 6,500 desks and chairs at a cost of US$357,500 without budgetary approval or adherence to established procurement procedures. The contract, signed with Ma Mus Group of Investment, reportedly obligated MCSS to a broader deal involving 22,000 chairs valued at US$1.2 million. With Superintendent Momoh now suspended without pay pending a full and impartial investigation into these damning allegations, the public is left questioning whether the funds were misused, diverted, or simply frozen. The investigation, if it exists, remains behind closed doors, and there is no indication of when or if the matter will be resolved.
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), on the other hand, manages a substantial amount of public money. In 2023, it reported $31 million in gross revenue and over $10 million in expenditures. However, recent audit findings pointed to procurement irregularities totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Despite these red flags, the public has been offered no updates on the fate of those funds or the results of the internal probe. With the Acting Chairman of LTA, Abdullah L. Kamara suspended and regulatory operations in limbo, the potential for revenue leakage grows by the day. The lack of information from the Boakai administration only deepens suspicions.
The State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) received a modest $470,608 in the 2024 budget, but it is the watchdog for over 40 state-owned enterprises that collectively handle far more money and employ thousands. The suspension of Arthur S. Massaquoi, Director-General of the Bureau of State Enterprises leaves an accountability vacuum, raising questions about whether other state-owned enterprises are continuing operations without effective oversight. When the entity tasked with holding others accountable is itself under scrutiny, the consequences are far-reaching.
Nowhere is the situation more alarming than at the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), which has become synonymous with controversy. The suspension of NOCAL CEO Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis followed the purchase of a $75,000 luxury vehicle, allegedly overpriced by $30,000. Further scrutiny uncovered a $585,000 consultancy contract awarded without competitive bidding, with $300,000 already disbursed before any work was delivered. These actions raise serious concerns about financial mismanagement and political interference. Yet despite the gravity of the situation, there has been no progress report from the Boakai administration or the NOCAL board. Public trust in how national resources are being managed continues to erode.
All of these cases point to a troubling pattern. The government has acted quickly to suspend individuals suspected of wrongdoing but has failed to provide a roadmap for resolution. No timelines, no audit summaries, no public hearings, just silence. Meanwhile, the money tied to these institutions remains suspended in a fog of uncertainty. Whether these funds are being safeguarded or quietly spent remains unknown to the Liberian people.
The broader context makes the silence even more concerning. Liberia’s 2024 budget has already seen $13.3 million in off-budget spending, with significant overruns at the Legislature and other government agencies. This trend suggests that the issue is not limited to a few rogue officials but may reflect deeper systemic problems. Suspending agency heads without transparency only fuels the perception that the government is more interested in optics than genuine reform.
President Boakai came to power on a promise of rescue and integrity. But integrity requires more than suspensions. It requires action, transparency, and accountability. The longer these investigations remain unresolved, the more the public begins to doubt whether the administration is truly committed to fighting corruption or simply using it as a talking point.
Anderson D. Miamen’s call for finality is a timely one. Liberians deserve to know whether funds allocated to MCSS, LTA, BSE, and NOCAL were misused, and if so, what consequences will follow. The President must lead with clarity. He must release the status of all investigations, publish interim audit findings, and commit to public accountability within a defined time frame.
Boakai’s silence may be strategic, but for a country burdened by poverty, poor service delivery, and years of corruption, silence is not a solution. Liberia cannot afford to keep millions of dollars suspended in uncertainty. It is time for answers. It is time for action.
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