The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has been summoned before the House of Representatives to discuss a salary and benefits package totaling $40,000. Bong County District #3 lawmaker Marvin Cole wrote the House over the weekend, requesting that it invite Commissioner General Dobor Jallah to address concerns regarding the alleged $40,000 salary and benefits awarded to him and his deputies.
The communication highlights issues related to salary discrepancies, misappropriation of funds, underreporting of revenues, and inconsistencies in account reconciliations involving the Government of Liberia and the LRA. The lawmaker alleged that Mr. Jallah and his principal deputies have awarded themselves $40,000 each per month, which is concerning. Additionally, he mentions the purchase of a car allegedly costing US$100,000 and the payment of high salaries and benefits to individuals of his choosing under the guise of consultancy.
Meanwhile, Representative Dickson Seboe of Montserrado County, District #16, urged the plenary to consider including the MedTech account, particularly if the funds from the company are being deposited into the government account. He also raised concerns about malfunctioning scanners at the National Port Authority, which are crucial for detecting drugs and other illegal items entering the country, while indicating that several standard measures are no longer operational at the port.
He urged the Plenary to instruct the General Auditing Commission to conduct a thorough audit of all accounts operated by the Liberia Revenue Authority, including payroll and salary discrepancies. Following extensive deliberations on the floor, Plenary voted to have the LRA Commissioner General appear next Thursday, alongside the General Auditing Commission (GAC), to provide explanations and authenticate the information to be submitted by the LRA chief.
By Joseph Sirleaf
