Monrovia – The Boakai-Koung administration got here to energy on the promise of bringing actual change—departing from the outdated methods to undertake new insurance policies that prioritize the folks. This was the pledge of the “Rescue Train,” the marketing campaign slogan of the Unity Party throughout the 2023 elections.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
However, a yr into management, the administration faces mounting strain to meet its commitments. One main concern is authorities spending, which critics argue stays extreme. Like previous administrations, the Boakai-Koung authorities has been closely criticized for failing to allocate the nationwide finances successfully for public profit, as an alternative prioritizing recurrent expenditures corresponding to salaries, journey, gasoline, and allowances.
In an effort to ease public discontent, the federal government, via the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), has introduced measures to scale back spending.
Travel Restrictions
The authorities has reintroduced a revised Travel Ordinance, set to take impact in Fiscal Year 2025. According to the MFDP, cupboard delegations will likely be restricted to a most of three individuals, together with the top of delegation, delegations led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs won’t exceed 5 individuals, whereas these headed by the Ministers of Finance, Justice, Defense, and State will likely be capped at 4. Any Cabinet delegation exceeding these limits would require the specific approval of the President. Howeverm exceptions will likely be made for high-level conferences such because the UN General Assembly and the annual conferences of the IMF/World Bank, AfDB, AU, and ECOWAS.
Except for presidency delegations headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of State, the utmost variety of individuals for a authorities funded Cabinet delegation shall not exceed three (3), inclusive of the top of delegation. Delegations of the Minister of Foreign Affairs shall not exceed 5 (5) individuals, inclusive of the Minister. Delegations headed by the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of State shall not exceed 4 (4) individuals, inclusive of the Minister. Cabinet delegations bigger than the stipulated minimal shall require the expressed approval of the President.
Ministry of Finance & Development Planning Travel Ordinance
Additionally, Cabinet Ministers and Heads of Spending Entities have been suggested to handle international journey budgets prudently. Only the Vice President, Speaker, Senate Pro Tempore, Chief Justice, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Justice, Defense, and State are licensed to journey in Business Class. All different officers should journey in Economy Class until their journey is externally funded.
To additional minimize prices, authorities representatives at worldwide conferences held in international locations with Liberian embassies will likely be restricted to Ambassadors or Special Nominees from the respective embassies.
Fuel and Scratch Card Allowances
In line with the federal government’s austerity measures, gasoline and scratch card allowances will likely be capped as follows: Fuel (monthly, for operational use):
Office of the Head of Entity: 150 gallons; Office of the Deputy Head of Entity: 125 gallons; Office of Principal Assistants: 100 gallons and Other Units throughout the entity: 100 gallons
Scratch Cards (monthly, for operational use): Head of Entity: Maximum $200, Deputy Head of Entity: Maximum $175, Principal Assistants: Maximum $150 and Other Units: Maximum $125
Board Fees & Government Vehicles
Board members receiving board charges won’t be entitled to sitting charges, cupboard Ministers and different appointed officers serving on Public Corporation or autonomous company boards won’t obtain board or sitting charges.
The MFDP known as on Boards to submit proposals for board charges to the President for approval. Commissions with out oversight Boards should submit senior administration compensation proposals for Presidential approval. It known as for bonus funds for distinctive board efficiency should even be authorized by the President.
For car administration, the federal government will cowl upkeep and insurance coverage prices for utility automobiles assigned to Presidential Appointees, besides these acquired beneath the Fleet Management Program, which would be the duty of the proprietor, job the General Services Agency (GSA) with designing a purchase order scheme for automobiles which have deteriorated past use, implement measures to forestall officers from preserving authorities automobiles after leaving workplace and require Spending Entities to contract registered and tax-compliant distributors for car purchases and upkeep, topic to GSA laws.
Huge Salaries for President, VP, and Top Officials Amid Austerity Measures
While these cost-cutting measures are being applied, vital budgetary allocations stay in place for prime authorities officers, elevating considerations in regards to the administration’s dedication to fiscal self-discipline.
According to the authorized FY2025 finances, of the full US$880.66 million fiscal envelope, US$773.95 million is allotted to recurrent expenditures.
From this quantity, US$11,367,054 is allotted to the places of work of the President, Vice President, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Senate Pro Tempore.
President Joseph Boakai will get US$3,442,406; Vice President Jeremiah Koung: US$3,909,152, Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence: US$1,224,126; Majority Bloc Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon: US$1,505,553 and Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah: US$1,285,817.
These allocations come amid the Trump administration’s resolution to chop support to Liberia, a transfer professional say may influence key sectors corresponding to well being, training, and governance.
Calls for More Austerity Measures
Several political and financial consultants have known as for added cuts, together with reductions in authorities salaries and total spending.
Alexander Cummings, former presidential candidate, described the state of affairs as a wake-up name, urging the federal government to shift from support dependency to financial self-sufficiency.
“In the minds of Americans—the biggest economy in the world—Liberia is positioned as a beggar. We need to change that perception,” Cummings asserted.
Meanwhile, Martin Kollie, a supporter of the Unity Party authorities, criticized the administration for failing to chop wasteful expenditures.
“If Boakai does not act fast to reduce public waste, crackdown on corruption, and focus on creating dignified, sustainable jobs rather than temporary street-sweeping jobs, his ‘Rescue Mission’ is going nowhere,” Kollie warned.
Describing the FY2025 finances as “pro-politicians and not pro-people,” Kollie emphasised that this was not what President Boakai promised in 2023.
“Public service is about empowering people and improving their lives, not enriching politicians. The government must use public funds to lift Liberians out of poverty,” he added.
With mounting strain from each the general public and coverage analysts, the Boakai-Koung administration faces a vital check: Will these austerity measures be sufficient to revive public confidence and steer Liberia towards real fiscal duty?