Monrovia, Liberia – Senator Amara M. Konneh, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Expenditure, and Audit, has urged the Executive branch to look into and prosecute former and present government officials who are allegedly involved in financial irregularities and corruption in order to ensure that the audit reports issued by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) are fully implemented.
The senator from Gbarpolu County noted that the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the GAC had both produced audit reports and findings that listed persons for whom prosecution has proven difficult for both past and present governments.
At a brief ceremony on Monday, July 15, 2024, at Capitol Building in Monrovia, he gave these remarks to commemorate the beginning of public hearings on audit findings that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) had released.
According to Senator Konneh, the Executive branch of government does not carry out the recommendations made in earlier reports regarding the imposition of disciplinary measures against those found guilty of corruption or misusing public funds.
According to him, there are three major criteria that affect how quickly a government can grow a country, even when both the government and the populace are keen to see Liberia improve.
The government’s capacity to stabilize the economy and link it to those of other nations, the upkeep of stable public finances and allocated funds, and the application of the law are among the considerations he listed.
He emphasized how important it is for trade and commercial relations to improve between Liberia and its surrounding nations.
While reviewing the more than 180 audit reports released by the Auditor General is a monumental task for legislators, Senator Konneh pointed out that members of the PAC committee are dedicated to determining how public funds were used by government officials and also contribute to the establishment of a robust public financial management system.
He emphasized that public officials should be held accountable for breaking national rules pertaining to the use of public monies.
He said that if the rule of law was not being followed in the nation, Liberia would not see quick economic growth and progress. “The reports have been expertly produced by the Auditor General. This 55th Legislature’s task is to make these reports available to the public so that you can read what’s inside.
Senator Konneh underlined that the National Legislature’s recommendations to the Executive will come from these audit findings, not from suggestions crafted by legislators.
He went on to say that the PAC would expect the incoming leaders of government ministries, agencies, and State Owned Enterprises “to fix these problems” in the circumstances of compliance challenges.
Senator Konneh thanked Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence and Speaker of the House of Representatives Fonati Koffa for their dedication to guaranteeing accountability and transparency in public spending.
