3 min read
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
MONROVIA — The leadership crisis within the House of Representatives has taken a dramatic turn as Nimba County District #9 Representative, Hon. Taa Z. Wongbe, has issued a blistering open letter to Deputy Speaker Thomas P. Fallah, accusing the House leadership of deceit, financial mismanagement, and attempting to mislead the public.
Rep. Wongbe said he had deliberately refrained from public exchanges to focus on development in his district, but was compelled to respond after Deputy Speaker Fallah portrayed lawmakers’ concerns as a mere fight for personal benefits.
“I would have preferred to address these matters internally, but your attempt to misrepresent the real issues leaves me no choice but to set the record straight,” Wongbe wrote.
Rep. Wongbe vehemently rejected Fallah’s narrative that lawmakers abandoned their duties over unpaid personal benefits, describing the statement as “disgusting” and a deliberate attempt to turn the public against members.
“You know this is about over US$5 million in project funds that have gone missing,” Wongbe stated.
He emphasized that the funds in question are not personal entitlements but district development funds allocated for roads, schools, clinics, and community infrastructure through the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE).
“The question is no longer simply when the money will come.
The question is: What happened to the money, who authorized its use, and where is the accounting?” he queried.
In his letter, Wongbe demanded a full documentary accounting of the over $5 million budgeted for district projects.
“How much was appropriated? How much was actually released? Where was it deposited?
What expenditures were authorized? Who approved those expenditures?
How much remains available for the projects originally intended?
These questions require documentary answers,” he said, warning that public money cannot simply disappear into promises.
Meanwhile, the Nimba lawmaker also dismissed the distribution of pickups to some lawmakers as a ploy to silence dissent, saying the strategy has failed.
“Providing pickups to some of the people aligned with you would ensure they do not ask what is going on with funds for their constituents.
You missed on that one because those same lawmakers saw right through your shenanigans and they are terming the pickups ‘junk’ and ‘an advanced kehkeh’,” Wongbe wrote, revealing that nearly 50 lawmakers boycotted the recent hoisting of the flag as a warning signal.
He further raised concerns over unexplained deductions from members, financial arrangements reportedly characterized as bank loans or credits, and the preparation of the 2026 Supplementary Budget without adequate consultation with Plenary.
Rep. Wongbe warned that the unresolved financial issues could embarrass the government internationally, referencing a similar scandal in the 54th Legislature that was publicly flagged by a former US Ambassador.
“5M dollars of project funds cannot go missing and then make an insulting post with dry face. It’s disrespectful,” he said.
He also disclosed knowledge of meetings held with Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung to intervene in the House crisis, questioning why the Executive is being drawn into legislative matters.
“Is the President also involved? Has the President been briefed that you guys took over 5 million dollars that were allocated to district project development? Do you think the international community knows?” he asked.
Wongbe stated that attempts to marginalize dissenting lawmakers since the 2024 leadership fight have failed.
“As I told you in the chatroom, you know me. I fear nothing… Those who are down fear no fall, and I will not sit by for you to twist the facts to the public,” he declared.
“Enough of the promises. Enough of the selective explanations.
Enough of the divisions. Let us account for the money, address the grievances, restore trust, and get on with the people’s business.