The Minister of State Without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, has disclosed that 285 yellow giant size/earth-moving machines intended for road construction and rehabilitation across Liberia are expected to arrive in country soon.
The equipment, which includes bulldozers, excavators, dump trucks, motor graders, trenchers, crawler loaders, skid-steer loaders, scrapers, and backhoe loaders are said to be a much-needed boost to the country’s infrastructure development efforts.
Minister Bility, who did not disclose the total amount spent by the government during her presentation at the government’s retreat to secure the machines said each county in the country will be assigned 19 yellow machines.
She added that the machines that are expected in the country soon are part of the government’s Agriculture, Rule of Law, Roads, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism (ARREST) Agenda as well as the Boakai’s vision to connect the country’s capital during his Presidency.
However, the disclosure by the Minister about the arrival of the 285-earthmoving equipment in the country, has since sparked both excitement and skepticism among citizens and politicians with several questions being asked.
Many are beginning to question the dollar value of the equipment and if they are bought from a loan and if so, what are the repayment terms and conditions are they a donation package or are they being rented among others?
Sinoe County Senator and member of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) Government, Augustine S. Chea said, “I heard from ELBC’s newscast last evening that the government is bringing into the country 285 pieces of earth-moving equipment. Laudable! But while that is good news, we must celebrate with caution.”
Sen. Chea wondered, “285 pieces of earth-moving equipment coming to our country, just like that? But assuming that the information is factual, we should ask the hard questions as to how the President got this huge quantity of heavy-duty equipment worth millions of USD?”
“There’s no information whatsoever about the source (s) of funding. ELBC didn’t mention that, even though they quoted the Deputy Minister of State, Bility, as the person who made the disclosure. So, what about the transparency, accountability, and the rule of law being trumpeted? he expressed.
The Legislature made no appropriation for the equipment in the budget; no loan agreement for that; and we don’t know of any grant or someone or an institution making a goodwill donation to the government,” he maintained.
Chea further asserted, “If donated, the President is under obligation and owes a duty to the Liberian people to tell us the source (s) and we demand that. Disappointingly, some of my Senate colleagues don’t think transparency and accountability matter here.”
But the Senate will not shy away from its oversight responsibility and will hold the Executive accountable. ‘There will be no business as usual.’ We will get to the bottom of this and unearth the truth. That’s the robust oversight we punctuate every day – perhaps hypocritically,” he added.
Also, Montserrado County District 9 Representative, Frank Saah Foko said, “285 earth-moving equipment for Liberia, a good venture but questionable source. As a Legislator, I would try my best to commend the commendable and condemn the condemnable.”
Foko maintained, “I am even more concerned why no bid done under the PPCC Act was there and why didn’t companies or institutions compete in a competitive bidding process and what informed the government’s decision to have either commit the country to such a deal?”
Meanwhile, the government has been tight-lipped about the details surrounding the acquisition of the equipment, leading to speculation and suspicion among the public with some Liberians even doubting the true nature of the procurement of this equipment for the country.
As the debate continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether the government will provide more information about the acquisition of the earthmoving equipment but in the meantime, citizens are eager to see if the equipment is put to good use for the benefit of the country.
