Samuel Jackson, a development economists, is suspecting that the Boakai Administration has embarked on what he calls a fraudulent mission in the 285 earth moving equipment deal. He says the procurement of those equipment lacks transparency and mixed with fraud.
In a statement released on his official Facebook page and confirmed by this paper, Jackson maintained “I am now prepared to call the 285 road building equipment a fraud. A despicable and willful disregard of public procurement procedures and an effort to fool the Liberian public.”
He believes that the procurement of the equipment didn’t follow established rules, which he claimed is meant to enrich the fraudsters.
Jackson observed that the purchase or gift to the Liberian government of 285 yellow machines did not pass the smell test.
“Firstly, is this a loan or gift? Who is the grantor? Or creditor? What interest rate are we paying if this is a loan? If a grant, who is the grantor and what are the conditions? Who made the project document to determine that we need 19 machines for each county?” he asked.
He wonders whether Rivercess, a small county of about 50,000 people, will get the same number of equipment as large counties like Nimba, Bong and Lofa.
He wants to know who did the needs analysis to determine the specifications of the road building or agriculture equipment. “Do we need cheap Chinese equipment from SANY? Did we need a South African millionaire Robert Gumede with ties to the ANC who has been credibly accused of corruption and illegal financing to the ZANU PF party in Zimbabwe as an intermediary to buy or get road building equipment?” he inquires.
The Liberian Economists expressed frustration on why the government is procuring cheap Chinese equipment.
Jackson’s concerns come in the wake of presentation made by the Minister of State without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, at the Cabinet retreat on Friday, May 24, 2024.
Minister Bility told participants at the retreat that about 285 earth moving equipment are expected in Liberia shortly.
Bility disclosed that the equipment will be divided across the 15 counties with each county receiving 19 pieces.
She explained that as part of the initiative, the government will reactivate maintenance zones, which she added will be constructed across Liberia with assistance from the engineering department of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
But in furtherance to his inquiry, these were the words of Jackson “Why not Caterpillar and John Deere? Do we have 285 trained equipment operators in the country? Where will the equipment be stored and warehoused? Who will provide maintenance and repair for the equipment?” he further questioned Liberian authorities.”
Additionally, he questioned the specific projects that will be implemented in the 15 counties and the project documentation involved.
“Which Ministry or Agency will be the prime implementing body or custodian? Was GSA involved in the procurement process?” he wrote.
He said until the authorities can present information that addresses his concerns and others from the public, “I will call this equipment buying or gift a fraud and a public deception.”
“Let’s see the documentation. For now the deal looks like a duck. It looks like a duck and is quacking like a duck. A fraud. A fake and public deception,” Jackson frowns.
