Few months ago, the Government of Liberia under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai began the importation of the first and second batches of the 285 pieces of heavy-duty trucks and earth-moving equipment from the Freeport of Monrovia to the BTC Barracks. The equipment were brought into the country under a murky agreement with South African billionaire Robert Gumede.
The controversy started in May during a cabinet retreat when Deputy Minister of State without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, revealed the plan to bring in the equipment. The intention is to distribute them across Liberia’s 15 counties to maintain and rehabilitate feeder roads. Minister Bility announced during a virtual presentation at the three-day retreat that each county would receive 19 pieces, regardless of size.
She stated, “The reason for bringing [the equipment] into the country is to promote the president’s vision of low-cost modern equipment for road maintenance. The plan is to have 19 pieces of earth-moving equipment in each county. We did this calculation with the help of Public Works Minister Lafayette Giddings.”
Mr. President, we are concerned about the status of these machines since the arrival of the first and second batches. It has taken nearly three months since these machines arrived in the country and nothing has been heard about the arrival of the remaining machines. In spite of the controversies surrounding the arrival of the first and second batches of machines, Liberians must be informed about what is going on about the remaining earthmoving equipment.
Mr. President, since your administration was criticized about the manner in which these equipment came into the country and your clarification which many Liberians are still doubtful of, we have not heard anything relative to the arrival of the remaining yellow machine. Mr. President, as you promised during your inauguration to be a people-servant leader, you are not relating to your people; you are not telling us what is happening to the yellow machines issue.
Mr. President, it is painstaking to say that the deployment of these machines proceeded without a clear explanation of how the Liberian Government entered into an agreement with the South African billionaire for the importation of the 285 pieces of heavy-duty trucks and earth-moving equipment. It is also unclear whether the government adhered to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission’s requirements for such a significant concession.
Despite all of these, your Public Works Minister is not saying anything to the Liberian people over the status of these machines. Mr. President, your people want to know about the status of these machines; is it because of the barrage of criticisms that you have decided to halt the importation of the remaining earthmoving machines or what had happened to the deal? We are concerned and need some clarification Mr. President. Mr. President, as a leader, you must relate to your people; please tell us what is actually going on about the remaining yellow machines.
