The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has summoned the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Superintendent, and the County Council of Grand Cape Mount regarding a serious violation of Section 2.9 of the Local Government Act. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Superintendent, and the Grand Cape Mount County Council are required to appear before the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
This decision was prompted by a communication from Senator Simeon B. Taylor of Grand Cape Mount, who highlighted that Section 2.9 of the Local Government Act states that the Legislature sets the ceiling for honoraria received by members of the County Council every four years.
Senator Taylor explained that Section 2.9, titled “Remuneration,” mandates that County Council members are to be paid an honorarium from the county budget, and that the Legislature is responsible for establishing the maximum amount for these honoraria every four years.
He asserted that members of the County Administration and the County Council of Grand Cape Mount have willfully disregarded Section 2.9 of the Local Government Act by creating, drafting, and approving a payment scheme for themselves without notifying or obtaining approval from the Legislature.
“Refer to Count Six (6) of the County Council Resolution of Grand Cape Mount County dated November 16, 2024, which discusses payment allocations to members of the County Administration and the County Council. Count Six (6) states: ‘An amount of Three Million Six Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Eight Hundred Six Dollars and Ninety-Four Cents (L$3,645,806.94), accounting for 10% of the total budget, shall be used as administrative costs for both the County Administration and the County Council and shall be equally distributed,’” he said.
Given this context, Senator Taylor argued that the actions of the County Administration and the County Council in devising their own payment scheme, contrary to Section 2.9 of the Local Government Act, represent a blatant violation of the law and a serious disrespect for the legislature.
He expressed concern that it is dangerous and detrimental for individuals assigned to serve the county to misappropriate public funds, a practice that contributes significantly to the underdevelopment of the country. “As a result, I urge the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to summon the Minister of Local Government, Francis S. Nyumalin, to appear before this body alongside the County Administration and the County Council of Grand Cape Mount, to explain why this gross violation of the Local Government Act has occurred under his supervision without any corrective action,” he emphasized.
He also suggested that the Senate Plenary should consider referring members of the County Administration and the County Council of Grand Cape Mount County to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for further investigation regarding this matter and to take necessary actions per the laws of Liberia.
