MONROVIA, Montserrado – Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 29, endorsed a comprehensive audit of the Central Bank of Liberia.

Addressing the House plenary, Edwin Snowe, the Montserrado County District #6 Representative informed his colleagues that the CBL, over the years has given direct financial assistance to organizations outside the restrictions of the National budget.

“This is not about targeting someone in the process. The issue is about how we as a government can convince our partners and citizens that we are serious in combating the deadly corruption virus eating up our country,” Snowe said.

According to Snowe, the audit will establish the credibility of the transactions of the CBL with other commercial banks in the country.

Snowe wants the audit to also include payroll and expenditures of the bank as well as shed light on the CBL’s micro loans program.

He said while the CBL micro-loan programs are helpful to Liberians, it is important to ensure that these activities are carried out within the confines of the law.

Snowe also wants to ensure that public funds are not being used for political purposes, alluding to rumors that the CBL governor, Mills Jones, is considering a presidential bid in 2017.

Jones’s micro-loan scheme has been very popular with the masses. He and his supporters often parade along main streets in the counties during ceremonies publicizing the CBL’s loan program.

Snowe’s move attempts to address concerns that Jones is using his micro-loan scheme to win over potential votes in the 2017 election. This belief is held, even though the legislature voted in 2014 to prohibit the CBL governor from contesting any political office within three years after leaving the post.

Following with an endorsement of Snowe’s assertions, Mildred Sayon, the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives wrote to the General Auditing Commission, and the Public Procurement Concession Commission to begin auditing the CBL.

Featured photo: Brittany Danisch