LRA Board Members’ Nominations in Limbo? -Policy Analyst Writes Boakai Open Letter, Lifts Valid Missing Links

MONROVIA – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the government’s unarguably chief pillar of economic stability and social development, has over the years been a major suspect in terms of perennial budget shortfall and deficits the nation is faced with. Thus, pundits have often emphasized the need for close and robust oversight and multiple hands and heads on deck to make it more responsive and grounded. But, under the Unity Party and President Joseph Boakai, the cash cow is left at the behest of a management alone, or at its own volition, without external policing arrangement it deeply deserves. A Liberian public policy analyst has spotted the loophole and is attracting president’s attention in an open letter. The Analyst reports.        

The most recent audit report on the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) up to October 2024 by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) indicated that some 6 Million couldn’t be accounted for and the underperformance of the LRA for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025, and it should be sufficient reasons why the Board of Directors of the Authority should be expeditiously confirmed.

It is not known why the Board of the LRA has not been confirmed; what is known is that its delay or put off has already constituted a biting cost to the country, and this is a burning concern for a noted political activist, Vandalark R. Patricks.

Over the weekend the Public Policy Strategist said he was compelled to use an open letter format in reaching out to the president since it had become increasingly difficult to directly engage him due to “the bureaucratic nature” of his office.

Patricks recalled that on October 16, 2024, President Boakai nominated the Board of Directors of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to have that entity regulated, and sadly since, the confirmation of the non-statutory board members nominated “have been stalled by very powerful people within your government”.

“You promised us accountability and transparency, which are strong antidotes to fighting corruption,” he said. “But, whoever is stalling the confirmation of the Board that you appointed, is harming your legacy and should be drastically dealt with by your office. When people that you trust start to undermine your leadership, it leads to institutional breakdown.”

The Public Policy Strategist used the medium to pick bone with the Senate Pro-tempore, Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence who according to him was and remains an ardent supporter of government, but under her watch confirmation of those individuals nominated to the Board at LRA has not been done.

He asserted that there is an imperative to suggest that the Senate be written seeking clarity on why there’s a hold on the confirmation of those Board members. “Let the Senate state their reasons and if they were rejected, it should be stated so you can proceed with another nomination,” he warned, and added: “Mr. President, while the Board that you nominated is held on hold, its powers, including mandating non-appointed officers to declare their assets contrary to Section 25 sub-section 2 of the LRA Act, are being executed by the Director General. This is usurpation of authority, something that speaks to poor regulations.”

Vandalark R. Patricks further said while he has got “absolutely no malicious feeling against the LRA Director General,” it was however holistic to remind the president that the execution of the functions of the LRA Board by his office is a problem.

He wrote: “As you may recall Mr. President, the former Managing Director of LEC, Mr. Monie R. Captan, was bashed at when it was discovered that LEC Board of Directors was not constituted, but its functions were executed by him while serving as Managing Director of LEC at the same time. Consequently, LEC was engulfed into a series of poor electricity problems due to poor regulations.

“Your Excellency, the most recent audit report of the LRA up to October, 2024 released by the GAC where some 6 Million couldn’t be accounted for and the underperformance of the LRA for the “first quarter of the fiscal year 2025”, should be sufficient reasons why the Board of Directors should be expeditiously confirmed.”

The political activist further noted that this is not only an urgent action that should be taken, but it will help supervise and regulate the activities of ALL Commissioners at LRA, including the management team.

He quipped: “Mr. President, do you know that the position of Commissioner for Domestic Tax is still vacant at LRA and it should be filled by a presidential appointment after the recommendation of the Board?”

He termed as unbelievable for such a senior position of Commissioner for Domestic Tax to still be vacant since last year (May, 2024 to May, 2025) without an appointment of a qualified commissioner.

“Who is acting in this role and why?” Patricks said, clarifying that he is not a financial expert and has no interest whatsoever in this role, including fronting for anyone but as always, “I like to draw your attention on some policy defaults with the hope you will act decisively as President of Liberia.”

“This singular situation can be construed as one of the major reasons for the underperformance of the LRA, and creeping acts of corruption at that entity,” he emphasized. “It could potentially give others more reasons to believe your government is not transparent.”

He then told the president: “Mr. President, I understand your philosophy of none interference amongst the three (3) branches of government. But, it’s imperative to urge you in taking steps forward to remind the Liberian Senate to redeem itself. The Senate must immediately act by confirming the three (3) respectable Liberians that were appointed by you since October 2024 to adequately and appropriately supervise and regulate the activities of the LRA.”

According to him, the LRA is the powerhouse for revenue generation in our country and leaving it completely unregistered (absence of the Board of Directors) is a problem, especially when the recent GAC audit report pointed towards a semblance of massive corruption where about 6 Million couldn’t be accounted for.

The Public Policy Strategist did not only point to the fault, he also recommended, saying, “Your Excellency, per the above-mentioned recounts, I hereby submit the following recommendations:

“1. That the Executive Mansion expeditiously hold a meeting with the Leadership of the Senate to lobby the confirmation of the Non-Statutory Board Members you appointed on LRA board and where the Senate finds the nominees unfit, you should replace them with new nominees to immediately undertake the herculean tasks at the LRA. Domestic Revenue is the heartbeat of the nation and the last hope for the delivery of basic social services and economic emancipation of the Liberian people. The target by LRA to raise 880 Million is welcoming and the move to 1 billion annual budget is a landmark achievement that will benefit all Liberians. However, this will only be achievable if the Board of Directors of the LRA is immediately confirmed to begin the regulation process of certain activities at the LRA.

“2. That the Board, after confirmation, be mandated to resolve all outstanding recruitment of the Commissioner for Domestic Tax that is being placed on hold at LRA. This has the potential to undermine the process of meeting the 1 Billion revenue collection target this year.

“3. That the recent audit report by the GAC be thoroughly reviewed by a specialized committee appointed by you and those linked in the report be made to undergo investigation to answer to the egregious issues raised by the GAC for the period covered by the Audit, march to October, 2024.”