The plenary of the House of Representatives has cited the Liberia Institute for Geo-Information Services (LISGIS) Board of Directors, along with the authorities and Finance and Development Planning Minister, Samuel D. Tweah, to appear before the full plenary, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 to update the august body about the conduct of the national census and the leadership struggle at the entity.
The House’s decision to summon LISGIS’s Board and other authorities was based on a comprehensive report from an adhoc committee constituted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers. The report of the specialized adhoc committee, headed by Maryland County district #1 Representative, P. Mike Jurry, was submitted to the plenary on Thursday, August 25, 2022 during the 5th day of the Special Session of the 5th sitting of the House of Representatives of the 54th Legislature.
The Committee recommended that LISGIS, as an institution, should spell out a policy or principle course of action, proposed or adopted by the institution for prudent or expedient conduct of action. In handling future census funds contribution to a foreign account to demonstrate Liberia’s commitment, the committee also recommended that said funds be transferred directly to the foreign account by the Finance Minister with the approval and consent of the LISGIS directorship, but not to transit said funds through LISGIS account.
The House’s specialized committee suggested that LISGIS Board of Directors becomes more proactive in the affairs of the institution to avoid controllable administrative circumstances turning into debilitating issues, and that the Board of Directors resolve with immediate effect the leadership stalemate at the institution. “The Board of Directors must function to ensure that the appropriate interests of the Government of Liberia (GOL) and stakeholders are met by overseeing the LISGIS senior management,” the recommendation stated.
According to the committee’s recommendation, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) is to conduct audit of LISGIS based on the allegations of mismanagement, misappropriation, misapplication, theft, ethical transgressions and violation of LIGIS Act.
Plenary overwhelmingly voted to have the Chairman of the Board, Minister Tweah, and LISGIS authorities appear before the plenary on next Tuesday. The motion was made by Montserrado County’s district #13 Representative, Edward Pape Flomo.