The Liberia National Police has failed to disclose the amount indicated the budget intended for the July 26 independence celebration in Western Liberia.

A press release signed by Police Spokesman Sam Collins said a proposed budget for the July 26 operation was submitted to the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs on May 2, 2013 but twenty thousand United States Dollars (US$20,000) was approved by the Ministry of State.

The of the Liberia National Police would like to make the following clarifications surrounding the unsubstantiated report circulating in the Liberian media and other foreign media outlets concerning the disbursement of Ten United States Dollars ( $10.00) to officers of the LNP being deployed as Per diem for the ongoing July 26, Independence celebrations.

The approved US$20,000 given to the LNP, the release said was not intended for per diem but instead for police operation during the independence celebration.

The police fell short of stating the actual amount of budget submitted to the Ministry of State which creates more questions.

"The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs after a careful perusal of the LNP draft July 26 budget, approved Twenty Thousand United States Dollars ($20,000.00) which the Ministry said was intended for Police Operation for the July 26, Independence Celebrations in Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties and not DSA as some media institutions are making the public to believe," the LNP clarified.

The police justified that the US$20,000 was grossly inadequate to undertake the operational cost of the police in the three counties.

"Let it be made known that the above amount could not cover fuel for vehicles and movement of equipment by the police and at the same time pay DSA and provide feelings for officers," release quotes the police as saying.

Giving a further justification of how the US$20,000 was expended, the police administration said it considered the most urgent priority for the up keep of officers in the three counties.

"One of such priorities included purchasing of food items to provide three meals a day and utensils for the officers for the duration of the independence celebrations in Bomi Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties. The feeding of officers for the Independence celebrations will take place at all of our 9 Zones and Depots and Central Headquarters across Montserrado County.

The police disclosed that the cost for feeding officers in the three counties and zones in Montserrado County is US$ 13,000.

The LNP maintained that due to the huge amount spent for feeding the officers, it was expedient to disburse the balance funds to the officers and supervisors deployed in the three counties with each officers receiving US$10.00 as spending money while supervisors received US$50.00 USD in addition to their three meals a day.

As part of its commitment to duty, the police they provide an additional US$14,130.00 (Fourteen Thousand One Hundred and Thirty United States Dollars) from its budget to purchase 3,000 gallons of fuel.

"It is worth noting also that at the writing of this release, Administration has received a request for an additional 1,000 gallons of fuel from the men in the field at a cost of Four Thousand United States Dollars ($ 4,000) to continue police operations during the celebrations.