The Senate Committee on Public Works has disclosed that Minister Roland L. Giddings apologized the committee for implementing contracts to fix the roads without legislative approval.
Speaking on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the Committee Chairman, Albert T. Chie said it was established that the Ministry misstep but it was in the interest of the Liberian people.
Chie said the Ministry wanted the roads to be fixed for the 100 days deliverables of President Boakai.
Senator Chie said during their meeting, Minister Giddings told senators that the ministry followed the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP).
“Minister Giddings told Senators that PPCC and Finance told them that there was a draft budget that had up to US$22.4 million in it to cover the road project and without hesitation, they were given a go ahead to do the roads,” Senator Chie said.
He further said since Public Work Ministry intentions were good and it was for the country’s benefit, senators should forgive.
Nimba County Senator, Nyan Twayen said the senate joint committee should meet with the Ministry of Public Works again, so that they can show the works that have been done within the period covered and what left to be done, the money they have used also.
It can be recalled that the Liberian Senate instructed its Committees on Judiciary, Public Works and Public Accounts and Audits to investigate the Public Works Ministry for awarding over US$22.4 million contracts to several contractors without legislative approval.
The decision of the senate follows a joint communication from Senators Nathaniel McGill, Abraham Dillon, Gbehzongar Findley and Simeon Taylor of Margibi, Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount Counties respectively.
In their communication, the four lawmakers said the Ministry of Public Works awarded contracts valued US$21 million to some contractors for the rehabilitation and construction of roads across the Country.
Senators McGill, Dillon, Findley, Taylor maintained that it is fundamental that any government institution issuing contracts must ensure that funding is available before awarding such contracts as outlined in the Public Financial Management (PFM) and the PPCC Act.
