…Provides Clarity on money used on Senate Retreat in Buchanan; says the event was legally funded…
CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA: The Senate Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has clarified that the US$47,000 spent recently in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County was legal money used from the Senate’s Committee budget line.
At the Thursday June 20, 2024 sitting, Senator Karnga-Lawrence also dispelled rumors that the Liberian Senate has a DSA budget line, terming as false and misleading stories about Senators getting DSA.
The Grand Bassa County Senator stressed that the Liberian Senate operates by the 1986 Liberian Constitution, adding the law provides for one Spokesperson for the Senate, a capacity she serves officially.
The President Pro Tempore maintained that all information about the Senate retreat in the public that has been used to target Senators is unofficial.
The Pro Tempore statement comes just a day after the Chair of the Senate Committee Chair on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget; Senator Prince Moye assured Liberians that the Senate under the leadership of Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence will continue to tread on the path of transparency and accountability.
Addressing reporters during a Press Conference at his Capitol Building office on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, Senator Moye said, contrary to rumors about a US$700,000 allegedly used by the Senate in Buchanan, the actual budget for the retreat was US$50,000.
The Bong County Senator clarifies that the US$50,000 represents a recast budget, which was derived from previous line items (Constituency Visit and Committee Hearings), to facilitate all expenditures covering the retreat.
Senator Moye also clarified that out of the US$50,000 requested; US$47,000 was disbursed by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, of which US$42,840 was spent for feeding, accommodation, staff compensation, and security.