Montserrado County District #9 Representative Frank Saah Foko, has raised concerns over “public waste, and lavish government spending.”
Foko questioned whether the reported US$1 billion revenue milestone has translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens?
He said, the revenue achievement would have limited significance if public hospitals remain without adequate beds, medicines, and other essential facilities, while patients are forced to seek treatment under difficult conditions.
Foko told journalists in Monrovia that government should put the interest of the “common people at the core of development priorities.”
“If we have reached US$1 billion, and we still have patients seated in wheelchairs at our health facilities taking drip, we still do not have sufficient beds at those facilities.”
Foko pointed at conditions he claimed require urgent government attention.
He also drew attention to the disparity between the earnings of ordinary public-sector workers, and those of senior government officials.
He said, some teachers continue to receive salaries below US$200, or US$300, while lawmakers, ministers, and other senior officials receive compensation exceeding US$5,000, US$7,000, and US$8,000.
Foko further questioned government spending on official vehicles, alleging that lawmakers, and ministers are being provided vehicles costing about US$45,000 to US$50,000 each, while raising concerns about the reported cost of the president’s official vehicle.
Foko: “Such expenditures raise questions about government’s spending priorities at a time when many Liberians continue to struggle with access to basic public services.”
He argued that achieving US$1 billion in domestic revenue should not be viewed solely as a financial milestone, but should also be measured by improvements in healthcare, education, and other essential services.
“I feel that the US$1 billion budget is useless without it making impact.”
Foko emphasized the need for concerns not to be interpreted solely through a political lens.
For ordinary Liberians, who depend on public hospitals, he said, should be able to access medicines, beds, and functioning medical facilities when they seek treatment.
He said, increased government revenue should also provide an opportunity to address longstanding deficiencies in the public healthcare system.
