McGill Opposes LRA Autonomy -Walks Out Of Session In Protest

MONROVIA: Margibi County Senator Nathaniel Farlo McGill yesterday, Tuesday, May 21, 2024 expressed his strong opposition to the request of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) seeking autonomy through legislative action when he walked out of the session where the senators had met to discuss the issue on the floor.

Senator McGill had maintained that he will not support any decision to grant fiscal autonomy to the LRA if the leadership of the entity cannot give reason why they should be given such status.

Our legislative reporter said McGill staged a walk out from the plenary of the Senate a few minutes after he was interrupted by some of his legislative colleagues while questioning the Commissioner General of the LRA Dorbor Jallah to provide reasons why they should be granted fiscal autonomy.

The Senator’s inquiry was tailored on the government’s sources of revenue generation through the LRA, at which time Commissioner Jallah mentioned MEDTECH Scientific Liberia thus prompting Senator McGill to seek further clarity on the company’s contribution to the national revenue envelope of the country.

Suddenly, Montserrado County Senator, Abraham Darius Dillon interrupted and reminded the McGill that the LRA boss had not appeared before the Senate to comment on MEDTECH’s issues, stressing that there is an existing matter before the body concerning the same institution.

But minutes after he walked out of the Chamber of the Liberian Senate,  Senator McGill told legislative reporters that the actions of his colleagues justified their hidden deeds with the company, which the LRA boss attempted to address.

As validated by the LRA Commissioner General, Senator McGill disclosed that MEDTECH is contributing 20% to the Liberian Government which translates to US$3 million is currently in an account managed by the very company giving the money.

Senator McGill argued that the company cannot be the one managing the same revenue it is giving to the government when the LRA is available to perform such task.

He further warned his colleagues who usually distract him whenever he raises a critical issue with a witness before the Senate to desist, terming such deportment as bad and unfortunate.

At the same time, McGill has vowed to oppose the granting of fiscal autonomy to the LRA, stressing that such decision will be reconsidered if other revenues generated for the government are accounted for.

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