Senate Establishes Ad Hoc Committee To Probe Alleged Budget Alteration

By Calvin Brooks

The Liberian Senate has set up a committee to probe allegations of budget alteration of the approved fiscal year 2024 National budget.

According to the President Pro-tempore of the Liberian Senate, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, the ad hoc committee will probe the matter and report to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on September 12, 2024.

Pro-tempore Lawrence made the disclosure Thursday September 5, 2025, in the Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Monrovia.

She named Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dabah Varpilah, as Chairperson to initiate the process of the probe while other members of the committee include Grand Gedeh County Senator, Thomas Yaya Nimely, Senator James Biney of Maryland County, and Senator Momo Cyrus of Lofa County.

Others are: Sinoe County Senator Augustine Chea, and Grand Kru County Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa.

Senator Lawrence indicated that the term of reference of the committee is to verify the budget that was passed by the Liberian Senate and transmitted to the House of Representatives with all signatures attached.

According to her, the committee will do a comparative analysis of the final budget that was signed by the speaker and the Vice President, and that the committee should also include the budget that was printed.

Pro-tempore Lawrence said the committee is mandated to establish whether or not there were alterations or shifting done in the budget and if so, who did the shifting and for what purpose was such action carried out?

She instructed the committee to publicly carry on the process and report for necessary actions to be taken.

She emphasized that the establishment of the committee to probe the alleged budget alteration is also intended to ensure the Liberian Senate's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Pro-tempore Lawrence asserted that the senate’s action is subsequently intended to respond to the public perception concerning the budget alterations and also provide a clearer understanding and direction on the saga.