IPNEWS: The arrival of a s shipment of earth-moving equipment, comprising 24 pieces of the announced 285, has moved the House of Representatives to summon several key government officials to provide clarity on the procurement process, bill of landing, and storage of the equipment.
The officials summoned include Minister of State Sylvester Grisgby, Defense Minister Geraldine George, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia. They are expected to appear before the House on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
This decision was made during the House’s regular session on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, following a communication from Representative Gizzie K. Kollince of Lofa County’s District #4. Rep. Kollince highlighted concerns regarding the Executive branch’s actions, suggesting they might violate the Liberian Constitution and undermine democracy.
“It can be recalled that a few weeks ago, at a cabinet retreat, one of the Advisors to the President announced that government had procured 285 earth-moving equipment or yellow machines for road development in the country. On July 6th, the same Advisor paraded with a number of equipment released from the NPA. I am informed that this equipment were taken to the Edward Binyah Kesselly barracks for storage. As you are aware, Article 34(d)(i) mandates that all revenue and financial bills originate in the House and Article 34(d)(iii) mandates that no loan shall be secured except by legislative enactment,” Kollince said.
Rep. Kollince further explained the need for the officials’ appearance: “From this backdrop, I’m calling on the House of Representatives to invite on Thursday, July 11, the Minister of State, the Minister of State without Portfolio Mamaka Dukuly, the Minister of Defense, and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia to appear before that body, to testify and adduce the following into evidence: the Bill of Landing of the subject pieces of equipment; the ownership and title documents for the subject pieces of equipment; the authority to take custody and store the subject equipment; the storage agreement for the subject equipment; and any relevant document that informs the House on the legal status of the subject equipment and their relationship to the government of Liberia.”
He stressed the importance of adhering to established laws and processes: “While the development of Liberia, especially road development, is welcoming, we must always take due cognizance of the established laws and processes appertaining thereto.”
Rep. Clarence Garr of Margibi district #5 echoed these concerns, emphasizing the constitutional implications: “The issue raised by my colleague is not just a mere nature or the ownership of the machine but it has to do with the violation of the Constitution. Where we are now is a crossroads of a constitutional matter, and if this august body does not get involved, the Supreme Court might come in to interpret the function of the House of Representatives.”
He added, “The Constitution gives the power to the Minister of Finance to negotiate on behalf of the government, but to commit this country to any debt, it has to be done by a resolution by this body.”
Rep. Musa Bility of Nimba County District 7 expressed concerns about potential manipulation by the government: “The issue of the yellow machine is the case of the government attempting to blackmail the Legislature. We all need yellow machines, and as a matter of fact, some of us were elected because we brought yellow machines and fixed our people’s roads. But at the end of the day, the government came into power under the theme of the rule of law.”
He warned against compromising legal principles for development: “For us to be justifying a violation of our laws for development is like going down a slippery slope. The machines have been brought into the country, we don’t know who it’s for and what it’s for.”
Rep. Bility questioned the financial priorities, noting, “We are aware of the cost of yellow machines, and because we want development, should we allow machines to be brought at that cost while hospitals and schools are not taken care of?”
Last weekend, during the removal of the controversial equipment from the Freeport of Monrovia, the Minister of State without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, told reporters that the arrival of the machines marks a significant step toward improving the lives of Liberians. She stated, “If you know the history of Liberia, and the conditions of our roads, this is more than just turning machines over. This is changing the lives of our people completely. We are totally grateful.”
She further mentioned, “For the first time since 1980, the government of Liberia will own its road maintenance equipment, under the Special Presidential Project. In the coming weeks, the Executive Mansion will ask the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of National Defense to build these maintenance zones, adding that the engineering department of the National Defense will help with road maintenance along with the Ministry of Public Works.”
