The Liberian government has once again exceeded its fiscal year 2024 budget limits, despite prior warnings from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). An analysis of the FY 2025 budget has revealed significant off-budget spending by key government entities, including the National Legislature, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, and the Office of the Vice President. These expenditures, totaling over US$13.3 million, were not included in the approved financial framework, highlighting major fiscal irregularities.
The National Legislature recorded the highest off-budget spending, exceeding its allocation by US$4.07 million, followed by the National Security Agency (NSA) with US$1.5 million in extra expenditures. Other entities, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, and the Paynesville City Corporation, also overspent by substantial amounts. This pattern of excessive spending mirrors previous incidents, particularly between January and August 2024, when the Ministry of Finance reported US$15.6 million in off-budget expenses, including unexplained miscellaneous costs, covert NSA operations, and special legislative sittings.
Despite these irregularities, the LACC has yet to take concrete action. In September 2024, LACC Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe acknowledged the issue and promised an investigation, citing concerns about financial integrity and public trust in governance. However, there have been no updates on the investigation’s progress since that statement, raising doubts about the commission’s effectiveness in addressing corruption and enforcing fiscal accountability.
With no clear response from the government or the LACC, calls for accountability are growing louder. Legislators and civil society organizations have urged authorities to address the unchecked spending and ensure that those responsible face consequences. The persistence of off-budget expenditures raises significant concerns about financial mismanagement and transparency within the Unity Party-led administration, further fueling public frustration over the government’s handling of national resources.