Monrovia, Liberia – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has been commended by a member of the Government of Liberia’s Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group for its hard work in exposing what it views as “serious” financial irregularities at Lofa County University (LCU) totaling more than $360,000 USD.
Speaking in an interview, Abraham Varney, Team Lead of BudgIT Liberia, a youth-led civil society organization, thanked the LACC for discovering and looking into the alleged wrongdoing.
He said the preliminary report from the LACC, which describes schemes including illicit transfers, exaggerated payrolls, and phantom employees, indicates a systemic supervisory failure.
“As an organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in public finance, particularly in the education sector, we view this not merely as a case of corruption, but as a direct threat to our nation’s development and the future of Liberian youth. The alleged misapplication of these critical funds represents a breach of public trust and undermines the very foundation of our educational system,” he stated.
A local, youth-led, non-profit civic group, BudgIT Liberia is committed to advancing inclusive development, accountability, and transparency in the country’s educational system.
A member of the Government Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group is BudgIT Liberia.
The group works to make sure that public resources are used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all Liberians through policy advocacy, data distribution, and civic participation.
According to Varney, kids ultimately lose out on their entitlement to a high-quality education when funds intended for classrooms and scholarships are diverted because this has an immediate effect on a country’s progress and a generation’s possibilities.
Varney however asked the President to make sure that a prompt, comprehensive, and unbiased inquiry is carried out and that everyone who is found to be at fault is held completely accountable through the legal system, irrespective of their affiliation or position. “We humbly urge President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to give this issue top priority in our roles as the government’s advisors and champions.
In order to stop similar incidents in the future, Varney in his message suggested a thorough structural change at Lofa County University and throughout the education industry which he said, will entails making sure that budget allocation and execution are transparent to the public, improving procurement openness, and fortifying internal audit controls urging everyone involved—students, communities, development partners, and civil society—to continue being involved and watchful noting that this will strengthen the institutions and protect public resources for future generations by working together and maintaining a strong commitment to integrity.
Reported by: Prince Saah
