By Sara Camara
MONROVIA – A fiscal tug-of-war has erupted in Liberia, pitting the nation’s premier academic institution, the University of Liberia (UL), against the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning over critical funding. Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has strenuously objected to UL’s emergency appeal for an additional US$500,000, labeling the request “off-budget” and insisting the government has fulfilled its financial obligations to the university. This rejection comes amidst a broader dispute, further complicated by allegations of a missing US$1 million earmarked for campus renovations.
UL Pleads for Emergency Relief
The controversy gained public attention when UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan appeared before the Senate Committee on Education. Maparyan painted a stark picture of the university’s financial distress, citing an acute need for US$500,000 to cover urgent repairs and outstanding payments to contractors. Without this immediate injection of funds, she warned, the new academic semester faced significant delays.
Maparyan underscored the crippling effect of the university’s current budgetary allocation. While UL’s approved budget stands at US$33 million, she revealed that “more than 90 percent of it goes to salaries,” leaving a minuscule amount for essential operational needs and maintenance. She further noted that UL had initially requested US$41 million during the budget formulation process, a figure significantly higher than the amount ultimately allotted, describing the shortfall as debilitating.
Minister Ngafuan Dismisses Request as “Off-Budget”
However, Minister Ngafuan quickly countered these assertions. Speaking on State Radio, he pushed back against claims of underfunding, maintaining that the government considers UL one of Liberia’s most heavily subsidized institutions. He cited the university’s budget, which increased marginally from US$33.7 million last year to US$34 million for the current fiscal year, emphasizing that the Ministry ensures timely disbursement of these funds.
“We make sure the university gets its budget, and we pay on time,” Ngafuan stated, adding, “Contrary to impressions, the government has not deprived the university.” He argued that nearly US$32 million of the US$34 million allocation is dedicated to salaries, acknowledging the tight operational margins. While admitting to some delays in cleaning up the university’s payroll system, he firmly asserted that no funding has been withheld. Ngafuan then dismissed the additional US$500,000 appeal as outside the national budgetary framework, remarking, “It is one thing to ask for more; it is another to use what you have.”
The Mystery of the Missing Million
Adding another layer of complexity to the contentious debate is the fate of US$1 million reportedly allocated for campus renovations. UL Comptroller Togar Gibson’s disclosure that the university never received these funds, despite their appearance in budget documents, ignited outrage within the Senate. Lawmakers expressed deep concern, questioning whether the Ministry of Finance had diverted the money or if bureaucratic red tape had stalled its transfer.
Minister Ngafuan vehemently rejected these allegations, asserting that legislators had been “misled into believing UL’s allocation was in jeopardy.” He insisted that the ministry had fully met its responsibilities concerning the university’s funding.
Looking Ahead
The standoff places the legislative body in a pivotal position. Lawmakers are expected to deliberate UL’s request for emergency funding this week and launch a thorough investigation into the alleged missing US$1 million. Dr. Maparyan continues to press for swift intervention to avert academic disruptions, while Minister Ngafuan maintains that the government has honored its commitments. The outcome of these discussions will significantly impact the operational capabilities of Liberia’s leading university and the broader landscape of higher education funding in the nation.
