Monrovia– Finance and Growth Planning Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, has defended the Boakai-Koung Administration, insisting that regardless of criticisms and audit considerations, there may be tangible progress in infrastructure, financial stability and public service supply.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
Showing on ELBC Tremendous Morning Present, Ngafuan dismissed claims that the nation is retrogressing and challenged critics to offer proof.
“Though some would need us to imagine that we’re retrogressing, opposite to their narrative, we’re progressing. There are numerous indicators,” he mentioned confidently.
His feedback adopted the discharge of a Basic Auditing Fee (GAC) Report that flagged US$2.8 million in funds made with out satisfactory supporting paperwork, together with lacking receipts, invoices, and liquidation data.
Responding to the audit, Ngafuan dismissed allegations of fraud, describing the discrepancies as “documentation points.”
Evaluating the 2024 Audit (underneath UP) with the 2023 Audit (underneath Coalition for Democratic Change), Ngafuan argued that the present authorities carried out higher.
“Moreover documentation points and funds with out legislative approval, final yr’s report was certified, which means it was usually sound with minor exceptions,” he mentioned. “2023’s audit, nonetheless, was hostile—the Auditor Basic discovered main gaps. The $2.8 million cited this yr pales compared to $4.27 million flagged in 2023.”
Ngafuan famous that over-expenditures in 2024 amounted to US$2.8 million in comparison with US$96 million in 2023, which he mentioned confirmed enhancements. He emphasised that audit findings level to administrative errors, not theft, and urged the Liberia Anti-Corruption Fee (LACC) to research each years.
“Fraud requires intent and motion. Somebody might mismanage funds with out intending theft. It’s the LACC’s position to research and make clear these points,” he mentioned.
Ngafuan insisted many of the flagged transactions predated his tenure and had been largely funds to settle arrears for well being groups and universities. “The auditor didn’t allege fraud or misappropriation. Had there been fraud, we might not have obtained a professional opinion,” he mentioned.
Of greater than US$735 million in transactions, he added, solely US$2.8 million had been flagged for insufficient documentation. He highlighted reforms underway, together with an Digital Doc Administration System (EDMS) anticipated by December 2025 to handle record-keeping weaknesses.
“Think about restarting a system that was virtually solved in 2011,” Ngafuan mentioned. “We at the moment are expediting an digital system to completely shut these gaps.”
The Finance and Growth Planning Minister cited highway growth as a significant achievement of the Boakai authorities. As soon as impassable areas, he mentioned, at the moment are accessible, reducing down journey time and opening financial alternatives.
“Journey to the southeastern area, and Lofa County has dramatically improved. Folks at the moment are leaving Fish City for conferences in Monrovia the identical day. Beforehand, such journeys would take days,” he defined, noting that lawmakers themselves have acknowledged the transformation.
Based on him, fixing Liberia’s highway networks is unlocking the financial system by connecting farmers and producers to markets throughout the nation.
Ngafuan additional pointed to improved financial indicators, together with a discount in inflation.
He mentioned steady electrical energy provide is altering the way in which companies and households function.
“Inflation has dropped to only over 7%,” he revealed, including that public transportation has expanded considerably. “NTA buses at the moment are reaching Voinjama and Harper even on the peak of the wet season.”
“Electrical energy provide is essentially steady. Companies are now not spending extreme quantities to maintain the lights on. That instantly impacts enterprise profitability. You see us emphasizing energy enlargement as a result of it issues,” he defined.
He disclosed that Liberia is one in every of solely 12 nations chosen by the World Financial institution and African Growth Financial institution to develop an power compact designed to lift electrical energy entry from 33% to 75%. “If that isn’t progress, allow them to let you know what’s progress,” he challenged.
Ngafuan defined seen enhancements: night time operations have resumed on the Freeport of Monrovia; avenue lights permit distributors to promote longer into the night time; water provide has improved in a number of communities; gasoline and rice costs stay steady; and queues at gasoline stations are now not seen.
“Individuals are promoting longer hours now due to electrical energy on the streets. Water provides have improved. There are now not queues at petroleum stations. The worth of petroleum is steady, and so is the value of rice. Moms now not should scramble at rice warehouses. That’s huge progress,” he emphasised.
Ngafuan underscored the federal government’s dedication of guaranteeing common wage funds for civil servants.
Ngafuan maintained that Liberia isn’t sliding backward however steadily advancing underneath President Boakai-Koung administration.
“Civil servants are largely being paid on time. We’ve normalized wage funds to the purpose that when it delays past the 25th, individuals begin to complain. The residents are holding us to the usual of excellence we’ve launched as a authorities,” he mentioned.
“Journey is simpler, inflation is decrease, electrical energy is increasing, public providers are bettering, and salaries are being paid. That’s the Liberia we’re constructing. Liberia is progressing—not retrogressing,” he mentioned.
