Bring His Living Body”: Lawmakers Order Finance Minister Ngafuan to Answer Over Delayed Benefits

Capitol Hill, Liberia: Tension flared on Capitol Hill on Thursday as members of the House of Representatives of Liberia ordered the immediate appearance of Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Liberia’s Finance Minister, to explain the delay in the payment of benefits owed to lawmakers and legislative staff.

The decision followed a motion raised by J. Marvin Cole, Representative of Bong County District #3, who warned that the situation is undermining the effective functioning of the legislature.

Speaking during a heated session on Thursday, Rep. Cole told plenary that while the Executive Branch continues to operate smoothly, members and staff of the Legislature have been left without essential benefits needed to carry out their duties.

“The Executive is functioning normally, but the Legislature remains without its benefits,” Cole said on the floor, describing the situation as unacceptable for a branch of government responsible for lawmaking and oversight.

According to the Bong County lawmaker, legislative staffers have not received their benefits since February despite reporting to work and continuing their normal duties. He noted that the delay has placed significant hardship on workers who rely on those entitlements to perform their responsibilities.

Cole explained that the unpaid benefits include gas coupons and other logistical support packages intended to facilitate legislative operations. “These benefits are meant to enable lawmakers and staff to effectively exercise their legislative functions,” he stressed.

Frustrated by the situation, Rep. Cole urged the Speaker to take decisive action by mandating the House Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the Finance Minister to the Capitol. “The Speaker should mandate the Sergeant-at-Arms to move to the Ministry of Finance and bring the living body of Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan before this plenary to answer these allegations,” he declared.

Following the statement, members of plenary voted overwhelmingly in favor of the motion, formally summoning the Finance Minister to appear before the Legislature to provide clarity on the delayed payments.

With the resolution passed, the Sergeant-at-Arms has been instructed to ensure the appearance of the Finance Minister before plenary, as lawmakers demand immediate answers and a timeline for settling the outstanding benefits owed to members and staff of the House.