— As ALJA Demands Clarification from Gov’t on the Acquisition of Controversial Earth-Moving Equipment

IPNEWS: CENTAL has joined cross-section of Liberians in demanding the government of Liberia to show more transparency, accountability, and integrity.

Addressing a news conference in Monrovia, CENTAL Executive Director,  Anderson Miamen, stated that if President Joseph Boakai is to be true to his commitment of running an open and accountable government, the right steps must be followed, including respect for the rule of law especially during these early days of his administration.

CENTAL urged President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr. and his officials to respect the laws of Liberia, especially Public Procurement and Concessions Commission’s Guidelines on negotiating and contracting works, goods, and services for Government and the Country.

“We join well-meaning Liberians and development partners in demanding the Executive to make full and timely disclosure regarding circumstances surrounding the Yellow Machines and all related matters. As important as the procurement of these equipment may be in addressing road and other infrastructure challenges faced by the country, the process in acquiring them cannot be marred by secrecy. “

“Additionally, we call on the Legislature to get involved and demand timely and full answers from the executive on the matter. We recommend the government swiftly addresses the issue through a public hearing and open appearance (s) of executive officials to respond to multiple lingering questions. Also, we applaud Liberians for demanding transparency and accountability around the issue. We encourage more of such engagements, not only on this but all matters bordering on public interest. Finally, we call on development partners to closely follow this and other activities and processes of government to ask the needed questions and demand accountability from officials leading and coordinating such processes.” CENTAL Executive Director,  Anderson Miamen intoned.

In retrospect, CENTAL statement comes on the back of the Government of Liberia (GoL) recently held a Three-Day Cabinet Retreat in Monrovia, during which time the Minister of State Without Portfolio, Madam Mamaka Bility announced that 285 pieces of earth-moving equipment had been presented to the Government of Liberia in a virtual turnover ceremony attended by her, Hon. Sylvester M. Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Hon. Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister of Public Works.

A video released about the turning over ceremony also features Mr. Xu Ming, Senior Vice President of Sany Group, a Chinese multi-national heavy equipment manufacturing company and the 3rd-largest heavy equipment manufacturer in the world, and Robert Gumede, Chairman of the Guma Group based in South Africa. On social media and other platforms, some Liberians have welcomed the development, but call for transparency, accountability, and full compliance with public procurement and other related laws in acquiring the equipment.

Responding on May 28, 2024 to questions raised by the public,  the Minister of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism, Hon. Jerolinmek Piah  stated that the announcement made by Minister Bility was not as a result of any agreement. Rather, it was an update on plans of the government. He stressed that even though the Government of Liberia has the power to negotiate deals in the interest of the country, such deals will be negotiated with respect for the rule of law and separation of powers. However, in the face of the assertion made by the government’s spokesperson, many Liberians including us at CENTAL were surprised when the government moved to bring in the first batch of the equipment without  any evidence that procurement laws were followed. We saw on Saturday, July 6, 2024, the Liberian Government parading several pieces of the equipment. Media outlets have quoted government sources as confirming importation of the equipment as the first consignment of the much-discussed road equipment.

Meanwhile, more than one month since the Liberian Government confirmed plans to acquire the said equipment, it has provided little or no tangible information on the matter. Circumstances around acquisition of the yellow machines are still unclear, despite persistent public outcry and demand for information from state authorities.  The source, cost, nature of the deal, payment modalities and other vital details are still top secret of the government, despite the Freedom of Information, Code of Conduct for Public Officials and other laws and polices requiring full disclosure of such information. Why would a government who premised its campaign on transparency and accountability choose to have the issue of importation of such huge quantity of equipment valued at millions of dollars shredded in secrecy? We can only wonder.

The question that remain resounding is ‘What is stopping the government from openly disclosing details of the deal, including cost of the equipment, source of funding, and the supplier (s)? Why is the Ministry of Information still tightlipped on the issue’?

CENTAL stated it is deeply troubled by this development, which contradicts the president’s professed anti-corruption commitment and respect for the rule of law and good governance requirements.

“If the R component of the government’s ARREST Agenda truly means respect for the rule of law, then the government needs to do the needful by ensuring the right processes, including the Public Procurement and other tendering processes are fully respected. This does not seem to be the case as things stand with the equipment acquisition. This is not the first time the government has engaged in an opaque and non-competitive process. “

“A case in point is when the Ministry of Public Works awarded over 20 Million USD worth of road contracts to various contractors without competitive processes, only to admit to wrongdoing and apologize to members of the Legislature. Liberians and development partners are seeing a similar trend with the yellow machines. Like the road contracts, the Liberian Government is violating her own established procurement, due diligence, participation and other processes in procuring goods, services and works. This is highly troubling, especially for President and Government portrayed as being experienced in leadership and governance. Reports that the company and individuals behind the deal have business interests in Liberia make the saga more concerning. If there is a lack of transparency and due diligence at this early stage of their engagement with the Government of Liberia, it says a lot about what any future investments or relations with Liberia would be like.” CENTAL statement concludes.

Meanwhile, The Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas (ALJA) is requesting President Joseph Nyumah Boakai and his administration to provide clarifications surrounding the acquisition of the 285-earth moving equipment or “yellow machines” being brought into the country for the purpose of constructing and rehabilitating roads.

In a press release issued by the Secretary-General and Officer-In-Charge of ALJA, the Association says while it applauds the demonstrated commitment and dedication of the President and the Liberian government to making roads in the country pliable, they must do so in consonance with the principles of good governance, probity and utmost transparency.

In May 2024, Liberia’s Minister of State Without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, at a cabinet retreat announced the acquisition by the Boakai administration, of 285 earth moving equipment for road construction and maintenance across all political subdivisions of the country but provided no clarification on the costs and mechanisms through which the equipment items were procured, something ALJA described as troubling.

Days following Minister Bility’s pronouncement, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah dismissed the report of the acquisition of the earth-moving equipment as untrue and that there has been no deal on the equipment, terming the report as “far from reality”. However, On June 27, 2024, Mr. Piah contradicted himself when he announced the arrival of the first batch of the equipment at the Freeport of Monrovia.

In the wake of the government’s miscommunication and lack of proper information surrounding the process leading to the procurement of the machines, on July 6, 2024, Minister of State Without Portfolio Bility, along with some government officials took delivery of the first batch of the machines at the Freeport of Monrovia, at which time she informed Liberians that the rest of the equipment would be brought into the  the country shortly.

ALJA frowns on President Boakai and the UP administration for the dearth of transparency and accountability in the accusation of the equipment and what seems to be their vehement disrespect for the public procurement and concessions laws of the country. The Association says it is unfathomable that President Boakai, who on January 22, 2024, promised Liberians that his administration would ensure transparency in government’s operations has now chosen to renege on that commitment.

The US based Liberian organization reminds President Boakai and his administration of their fiduciary responsibility to the Liberian people, and that they are under legal obligation to provide clarifications about how the machines were obtained.

The Association described as an irony, what seems to be  attempts by President Boakai and his administration to indulge in the same acts of bad governance they accused former President George Manneh Weah and the CDC of  committing in the past.

ALJA is a conglomeration of current and retired Liberian journalists residing in the Americas. It is a 501c (3) non-profit organization. The Association was founded in 1998 with the objectives of advancing press freedom through media capacity building, and the fostering of good governance in Liberia through media advocacy.