Donzo Must Account for US$9M

News and Events

Donzo Must Account for US$9M
Probe for US$500,000 Seized Money
Alva W. Wolokollie, Liberian Observer
May 1, 2009

MONROVIA, A member of the House of Representatives has written a letter of concern to plenary raising suspicion that a US$9 million budgetary appropriation given for procurement of equipment by the Ministry of Public Works might have not been expended. Plenary has therefore summoned former Public Works Minister, Lusine Donzo to account for that money.
The ex-Minister is expected to appear next Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at about 11 a.m. during the House's regular session.

The decision to summon the ex-Minister was taken yesterday, April 30, 2009 by plenary after which Montserrado County District #6 Representative Kuku Y. Dorbor wrote a letter of concern, requesting that august body to act on the matters before the Minister officially turned over his post as Public Works Minister.

Minister Donzo has recently been appointed as advisor to the President on Infrastructure.
In her letter, Rep. Dorbor told her colleagues that the Rainy Season has come and most of the roads in the country are not accessible for travel. She explained that the 52nd Legislature allotted the amount in question so that the Public Works would buy road equipment to rehabilitate and reconstruct damaged roads in Liberia. To their great surprise, she added in the letter, the equipment had not been bought, while most of the roads are in deplorable condition and the Minister is leaving office without accounting for that money.

In support of Rep. Dorbor's letter, Lofa County District#1 Representative Eugene Fallah Kparkar added that if the US$9 million was divided among the 15 sub-political divisions of Liberia, US$600,000 would have been given to each county to purchase equipment for road rehabilitation. He added that all budgetary appropriations should be implemented as per the budget law of Liberia and therefore, Minister Donzo must show reasons why he could not be held in contempt.

Meanwhile, the House has ordered the committees on Judiciary, Banking, and Security to probe into matters arising from the Justice Ministry to clarify issues surrounding the US$508,200 that was seized from a Nigerian national in 2006.

The message was contained in a letter written to plenary by Montserrado County Representative Moses Tandanpolie that Minister Philip A.Z. Banks should explain to that body who authorized the withdrawal and expenditure of the money without approved budgetary procedure.

A motion by Rep. Vinicius Hodges of Grand Bassa was earlier defeated on grounds that Minister Banks should be summoned. Plenary later took the decision that the case needs some clarifications before the Minister is summoned.

The three committees have been given a week to report to the House’s leadership with recommendations.