Amidst uncertainty in Liberia concerning the alleged purchase of a US$96,000 vehicle for Commerce Minister Amin Modad by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), a group calling itself Coalition of Youth & Students for Better Liberia (CYSBL) has described the Commissioner General of LRA James Dorbor Jallah as an “integrity icon.”
Speaking with reporters Monday, September 30, 2024 in Monrovia, CYSBL Executive Director Israel T. Koffeh said the LRA boss is one of the best public servants in the country and a person of good stature. According to him, “Hearing the news in the public between Commissioner Jallah and the Commerce Minister for the MEDTECH deal sounds discouraging, but no one is perfect.
Meanwhile, Koffeh said his organization stands with Commissioner Jallah in these difficult times, and called on the public and the media to allow due-diligence to take effect, stating that calling for dismissal or suspension is not timely.
He said those calling on President Joseph N. Boakai to suspend or dismiss Commissioner Jallah have issues with him, as Liberians know the integrity of the LRA boss from his days at the University of Liberia, PPCC and the Ebola Fund.
He said throughout the life of the Commissioner Jallah, he has stood for integrity, accountability and transparency; therefore, the public should stop passing judgement on him and allow due-diligence to take its course.
Recently, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) in a release on September 23, 2024, clarified that it did not purchase a vehicle valued at US$150,000 as reported.
However, it confirmed the approval of the Ministry of Commerce’s (MOCI) request in early May 2024 for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund under the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract held with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) for the purchase of vehicles to support the MOCI.
The entity said these vehicles are intended for trade-related activities in collaboration with Customs. The specifications of the vehicles, as well as their deployment within MOCI, are determined by the MOCI, not the LRA. This revelation brought about even more public backlash into the matter.
Also, Commerce Minister Modad narrated that the vehicle in question was purchased for the Ministry of Commerce, with payments made directly to the vendor and no funds passing through his ministry or personal accounts.
“The vehicle was not custom-made and was certainly not purchased for $150,000 as has been falsely claimed. I’ve been using my personal vehicles, including an S-Class Mercedes, since I took office eight months ago, and I cover the costs of fuel and my driver’s salary myself,” Minister Modad said.
He said that photos being posted portraying the vehicle in question, “are in fact photos of former US President Trump’s vehicle.” Commenting on the issue, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) in a release on Monday, September 23, 2024 clarified that it did not purchase a vehicle valued at US$150,000, as reported.
However, it confirms the approval of the MOCI’s request in early May 2024 for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund under the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract held with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) for the purchase of vehicles to support the MOCI.
The entity said these vehicles are intended for trade-related activities in collaboration with Customs. The specifications of the vehicles, as well as their deployment within MOCI, are determined by the MOCI, not the LRA. This revelation brought about even more public backlash into the matter.
By Prince Saah
