REP. MEMBER SAYS EXECUTIVE MANSION A MILKING COW FOR LEADERS IN LIBERIA

Liberia Executive Mansion which is home to politicians holding office in the nation has been a “Milking Cow” according to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Good Governance and Government Reform, Larry P. Younquoi.

The Mansion built from 1961 to 1964, during the administration of ex-Liberian President William V. S. Tubman was funded by Israeli government.

However on July 26, 2006, the Executive Mansion, gutted fire during Liberia’s Independence Day Celebration, destroying the Fourth Floor Central Section, accommodating the Presidential and adjoining offices, in the presence of foreign guests and dignitaries.

Since that unfortunately incident, it is reported that over US$15M has been budgeted by the past and current governments for the Executive Mansion renovation.

This has not gone down well with Mr Younquoi who noted that the Executive Mansion continues to remain in a dilapidated condition because, “people in high places” want to use its current state to budget exorbitantly and receive those budgeted allocations on a regular basis.

He further stated that, it is quite frustrating for millions of taxpayers’ monies to continue to be allocated for the renovation of the Executive Mansion. Whereby ignoring the most pressing areas that include Agriculture, Health and Education.

He also blamed the continuous delay in the project to the lack of patriotism and nationalism, particularly among members of the Executive branch who are responsible for the implementation of the project.

In 2016, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf requested the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct an audit into the Executive Mansion renovation project. The audit was provided under the statutory mandate of the Auditor General under section 2.1.3 of the GAC Act of 2014.

However after observing a waste of over US$10M on the Executive Mansion renovation project on the audit that covers July 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015 no action was taking by the former president till her 12years tenure was over.

Currently, the offices of President Weah continue to be housed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on Capitol Hill in Monrovia. While, some members of the First Family residing at his private home in Thinker’s Village.

 

Source: FrontPageAfrica

 

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