The Joint Legislative Public Accounts Committee of the 55th Legislature has issued a final warning to current and former officials of the Liberia Airport Authority, the Ministry of Public Works, and EAST International Contractors: appear at the next hearing or face prosecution.
The warning comes after the hearing into the General Auditing Commission’s audit of the LAA’s financial statements for 2018 to 2023 was deferred for the second time. Key officials failed to appear to answer to issues raised in the report.
The GAC has already issued an adverse opinion on the LAA’s financial statements for the period-the most serious audit finding, indicating the records do not fairly represent the Authority’s financial position.
The Committee stressed that the process is part of its constitutional oversight and quasi-judicial mandate. It is not political, the Committee said, but a matter of due process and accountability for public funds. “We want everybody to have the opportunity,” the Committee said adding, “So that when you go to the Justice Ministry, the LACC, or even the court, you will not say that you did not know about the matter or that nobody gave you an opportunity to respond.”
The Committee cautioned that continued failure to appear will force it to proceed based on available information and refer the matter to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and/or the Ministry of Justice for “appropriate action, including possible prosecution where warranted.”
The Committee disclosed it has already transmitted about 12 other audit reports to the Office of the President for action and will follow up on their status. It also commended its members and staff for continuing oversight work during the legislative recess, noting that accountability cannot wait. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to working with the GAC to strengthen transparency and prudent management of public resource.
