House Speaker Koffa Commends Ways, Means, and Finance Committee for Discovering Additional $51 Million in Revenue

House Speaker Koffa Commends Ways, Means, and Finance Committee for Discovering Additional $51 Million in Revenue.

House Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa has voiced his opposition to the direct allocation of budget funds to lawmakers for executing legislative projects within their electoral districts.

During Thursday’s session, Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah facilitated discussions on the budget following the report from the House Ways, Means, and Finance Committee. Many lawmakers were given the opportunity to contribute to the budget deliberations.

While acknowledging the House Committee’s discovery of additional revenue, lawmakers also emphasized the need for a strategic allocation of funds to have a meaningful impact on their districts. They advocated for direct financial support from the budget to carry out projects within their constituencies.

Representative Edward Papee Flomo (District #13, Montserrado County) emphasized the importance of funds being allocated directly to lawmakers rather than through the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE).

He said, “We are 103 lawmakers, expecting LACE to oversee all these projects would be a challenges.

Many of us may not benefit from LACE. I concur with Rep. Musa Bility (District #7, Nimba County) that funds should be allocated directly to lawmakers for project implementation, subject to proper audit.”

However, Speaker Koffa expressed disagreement with this approach, citing feasibility concerns. He argued, “Relying on LACE to ensure accountability in spending public funds on projects is preferable to providing direct funds to lawmakers who may lack expertise in accounting or engineering.”

Instead, the Speaker proposed channeling the funds through LACE for the execution of projects designated by lawmakers in their respective districts. This, he suggested, would allow lawmakers to fulfill their oversight duties by ensuring successful project implementation and proper financial accountability through audits.