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Claim: We spent US$8.79 million on fuel for generators and US$916,441 on scratch cards alone (Annexe 9, FY2025). That’s US$9.7 million in just 24 months,” activist Martin Kollie wrote on his official Facebook page.
Verdict: False. A careful review of Liberia’s FY2025 National Budget shows that the figures cited by Kollie were inaccurate. Moreover, ‘Annexe 9’ does not exist in published budget documents.
Full Text:
Martin Kollie, a well-known Liberian activist, recently alleged that President Joseph Boakai’s administration allocated US$8.79 million for generator fuel and US$916,441 for scratch cards over a 24-month period. He cited Annexe 9 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Budget as his funding source.
Kollie argued that such expenditures could have been redirected toward job creation. “What if we had diverted it to jobs?” he asked. “809 Liberians would have had jobs with each of them earning US$500 per month.”
His post gained significant traction, drawing over 200 comments, 544 Facebook reactions, and 82 shares. In support, one follower, Elijah G. Garmondyu, reposted the claim, calling it the “Best Recommendation of the Year!” without verifying the information.
Due to the post’s viral nature and its potential to misinform the public, DUBAWA conducted a thorough review of the claim.
Verification
Contrary to Kollie’s claim, the FY2025 National Budget does not contain Annexe 9. The budget is structured into several annexes, from 1 to 8, with Annexe 5 titled “Detailed Object of Expenditure Summary.”
Fuel for Generators – US$4,269,865
On page 601 of Annexe 5, budget line 221402 lists US$4,269,865 as the amount allocated for Fuel and Lubricants for Generators, less than half of what was claimed.
Scratch Cards – US$580,285
Under budget line 221209, the amount appropriated for Scratch Cards is US$580,285, not US$916,441.
No Evidence Provided
Despite being challenged by these figures, Kollie did not present any documentary evidence to support his claims. Instead, he has continued to call on the government to cut “wasteful spending.”
Conclusion
Martin Kollie’s claim regarding the government’s spending on generator fuel and scratch cards is not supported by the FY2025 National Budget. The annexe he referenced does not exist, and the actual appropriated amounts are significantly lower than those he reports. Therefore, his claim was false.
