Monrovia – The Boakai-Koung administration came to power on the promise of bringing real change—departing from the old ways to adopt new policies that prioritize the people. This was the pledge of the “Rescue Train,” the campaign slogan of the Unity Party during the 2023 elections.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
However, a year into leadership, the administration faces mounting pressure to fulfill its commitments. One major concern is government spending, which critics argue remains excessive. Like past administrations, the Boakai-Koung government has been heavily criticized for failing to allocate the national budget effectively for public benefit, instead prioritizing recurrent expenditures such as salaries, travel, fuel, and allowances.
In an effort to ease public discontent, the government, through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has announced measures to reduce spending.
Travel Restrictions
The government has reintroduced a revised Travel Ordinance, set to take effect in Fiscal Year 2025. According to the MFDP, cabinet delegations will be limited to a maximum of three persons, including the head of delegation, delegations led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs will not exceed five persons, while those headed by the Ministers of Finance, Justice, Defense, and State will be capped at four. Any Cabinet delegation exceeding these limits will require the express approval of the President. Howeverm exceptions will be made for high-level meetings such as the UN General Assembly and the annual meetings of the IMF/World Bank, AfDB, AU, and ECOWAS.
Except for government delegations headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of State, the maximum number of persons for a government funded Cabinet delegation shall not exceed three (3), inclusive of the head of delegation. Delegations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall not exceed five (5) persons, inclusive of the Minister. Delegations headed by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of State shall not exceed four (4) persons, inclusive of the Minister. Cabinet delegations larger than the stipulated minimum shall require the expressed approval of the President.
Ministry of Finance & Development Planning Travel Ordinance
Additionally, Cabinet Ministers and Heads of Spending Entities have been advised to manage foreign travel budgets prudently. Only the Vice President, Speaker, Senate Pro Tempore, Chief Justice, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Defense, and State are authorized to travel in Business Class. All other officials must travel in Economy Class unless their travel is externally funded.
To further cut costs, government representatives at international meetings held in countries with Liberian embassies will be limited to Ambassadors or Special Nominees from the respective embassies.
Fuel and Scratch Card Allowances
In line with the government’s austerity measures, fuel and scratch card allowances will be capped as follows: Fuel (per month, for operational use):
Office of the Head of Entity: 150 gallons; Office of the Deputy Head of Entity: 125 gallons; Office of Principal Assistants: 100 gallons and Other Units within the entity: 100 gallons
Scratch Cards (per month, for operational use): Head of Entity: Maximum $200, Deputy Head of Entity: Maximum $175, Principal Assistants: Maximum $150 and Other Units: Maximum $125
Board Fees & Government Vehicles
Board members receiving board fees will not be entitled to sitting fees, cabinet Ministers and other appointed officials serving on Public Corporation or autonomous agency boards will not receive board or sitting fees.
The MFDP called on Boards to submit proposals for board fees to the President for approval. Commissions without oversight Boards must submit senior management compensation proposals for Presidential approval. It called for bonus payments for exceptional board performance must also be approved by the President.
For vehicle management, the government will cover maintenance and insurance costs for utility vehicles assigned to Presidential Appointees, except those acquired under the Fleet Management Program, which will be the responsibility of the owner, task the General Services Agency (GSA) with designing a purchase scheme for vehicles that have deteriorated beyond use, implement measures to prevent officials from keeping government vehicles after leaving office and require Spending Entities to contract registered and tax-compliant vendors for vehicle purchases and maintenance, subject to GSA regulations.
Huge Salaries for President, VP, and Top Officials Amid Austerity Measures
While these cost-cutting measures are being implemented, significant budgetary allocations remain in place for top government officials, raising concerns about the administration’s commitment to fiscal discipline.
According to the approved FY2025 budget, of the total US$880.66 million fiscal envelope, US$773.95 million is allocated to recurrent expenditures.
From this amount, US$11,367,054 is allocated to the offices of the President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Senate Pro Tempore.
President Joseph Boakai gets US$3,442,406; Vice President Jeremiah Koung: US$3,909,152, Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence: US$1,224,126; Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon: US$1,505,553 and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah: US$1,285,817.
These allocations come amid the Trump administration’s decision to cut aid to Liberia, a move expert say could impact key sectors such as health, education, and governance.
Calls for More Austerity Measures
Several political and economic experts have called for additional cuts, including reductions in government salaries and overall spending.
Alexander Cummings, former presidential candidate, described the situation as a wake-up call, urging the government to shift from aid dependency to economic self-sufficiency.
“In the minds of Americans—the biggest economy in the world—Liberia is positioned as a beggar. We need to change that perception,” Cummings asserted.
Meanwhile, Martin Kollie, a supporter of the Unity Party government, criticized the administration for failing to cut wasteful expenditures.
“If Boakai does not act fast to reduce public waste, crackdown on corruption, and focus on creating dignified, sustainable jobs rather than temporary street-sweeping jobs, his ‘Rescue Mission’ is going nowhere,” Kollie warned.
Describing the FY2025 budget as “pro-politicians and not pro-people,” Kollie emphasized that this was not what President Boakai promised in 2023.
“Public service is about empowering people and improving their lives, not enriching politicians. The government must use public funds to lift Liberians out of poverty,” he added.
With mounting pressure from both the public and policy analysts, the Boakai-Koung administration faces a critical test: Will these austerity measures be enough to restore public confidence and steer Liberia toward genuine fiscal responsibility?
