The probe follows allegations made by Sinoe County Senator Crayton Duncan, who heads the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions.
Monrovia – The Senate has initiated an investigation into the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) after authorities submitted conflicting reports on the agency’s expenditures, revealing that over US$1.4 million was spent without adequate supporting details.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
The probe follows allegations made by Sinoe County Senator Crayton Duncan, who heads the Senate Committee on Autonomous Agencies and Commissions.
In a communication to the Plenary on Thursday, March 6, Senator Duncan accused NDMA officials, led by Executive Director Ansu V. S. Dulleh, of submitting false reports on the agency’s achievements for the 2024 fiscal year as part of the 2025 national budget performance.
According to Duncan, the agency failed to provide a clear report on its expenditures and achievements. When called to explain the discrepancies, Dulleh reportedly shifted the blame to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and submitted a new document listing the agency’s supposed 2024 achievements, which lacked specifics.
Dulleh also reported that while he was authorized to use US$1,417,994, the agency only expended US$1,389,937.4, leaving a balance of US$58,905.33. Duncan raised concerns about the inconsistency in the report, emphasizing that the difference between what was authorized and what was reported is unclear.
“These inconsistent reports of achievements and expenditures raise serious concerns,” Duncan said. “The Senate must understand the specific projects and programs the NDMA funded in 2024.”
Duncan called for Dulleh and his deputies to appear before the Senate to provide clarity on their operational and administrative procedures. He warned that if financial malfeasance or corruption is discovered, the case would be referred to the General Auditing Commission (GAC) or the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Senator Duncan also stressed the need for the Senate to strengthen its oversight functions to help curb corruption and administrative malfeasance within government agencies.
The Senate’s investigation into the matter was formally proposed by Bong County Senator Prince Moye, with the Committee on Public Accounts designated as the lead committee to conduct the probe.
