MONROVIA – Senator James Biney has known as on President Joseph Boakai to “develop the spine to lead” amid mounting controversy over the reappearance of US$374,000 allotted to the Turkish firm Karpower within the nationwide funds for the 2025 fiscal 12 months.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
This comes after a heated debate within the Senate over the allocation of funds for Karpower, an organization concerned in offering floating energy vegetation.
Members of the Senate had beforehand eliminated this quantity from the 2024 funds through the recast, but it surely was discovered to have resurfaced within the 2025 funds underneath the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
This has raised severe considerations about transparency and accountability, particularly for the reason that authorities had earlier rejected the take care of Karpower.
Senator Biney expressed disappointment with President Boakai’s management, stating that the nation has been far too reliant on international assist, which he believes is an unsustainable technique for Liberia’s financial progress.
“It is dangerous for Liberia to depend on foreign aid to generate revenue for development,” Biney mentioned. “We need innovative ways to increase our revenue, but the government must be willing to face challenges head-on.”
Biney, who supported President Boakai in his quest for management, added that Boakai should present the resolve to deal with Liberia’s revenue-generation challenges. He cited the underperformance of the forestry sector, the place he mentioned worldwide companions now management a lot of the income, and the stagnation in Liberia’s vitality sector, significantly the import of plywood regardless of the nation’s huge rainforests.
The senator emphasised that Liberia ought to be exporting logs as an alternative of importing plywood, asserting that with robust management, the nation might maximize its pure assets to generate income, create jobs, and enhance the worth of its forex.
He known as on President Boakai to reveal a stronger will to face up towards exploitative practices and take management of the nation’s sectors, significantly logging, which ought to be a key income driver.
Additionally, Biney identified that the Port of Harper has not been dredged for over 20 years, and international pursuits proceed to revenue from Liberia’s iron ore sector, offering the nation with minimal advantages. “For too long, leaders have failed to develop the spine to stand against these practices,” Biney mentioned, including that it’s time for President Boakai to step up and reveal robust management.
“What we need is leadership with the courage and determination to move this country forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County raised additional questions in regards to the dealing with of the Karpower allocation, stating that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) had saved the funds within the funds regardless of the Senate’s removing of the allocation. He known as for a radical investigation into how the funds had been used.
Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Samuel D. Ngafuan, responded by clarifying that the cash for Karpower had not been spent, asserting that the funds incorporates appropriations supposed for numerous tasks, that are adjusted as vital all year long.
However, Senator Brown rejected this rationalization, calling it a type of deception. He demanded transparency, pointing to the allocation’s mismanagement and calling for accountability.
As the controversy over the Karpower allocation continues, many at the moment are questioning the priorities of the Boakai administration. Critics argue that the federal government ought to prioritize resolving excellent money owed, such because the CLSG debt to Côte d’Ivoire, moderately than redirecting funds to a controversial challenge like Karpower. Energy analysts additionally stress the significance of specializing in sustainable vitality options that align with Liberia’s long-term growth targets.