The Director-General of the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE), Arthur S. Massaquoi, has clarified recent allegations of procurement fraud and corruption that have surfaced, which has since led to an ongoing investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Mr. Massaquoi emphasized that the alleged fraudulent activities, which stem from allegations of irregularities within the procurement processes of the BSE, took place before he was appointed Director General of the entity.
He said, “The procurement fraud being investigated by the LACC is not a reflection of my leadership or the current operations of the BSE, but we are fully cooperating with the LACC to ensure that the truth comes to light.”
However, his clarification comes amid media reports on how three checks worth millions of dollars were allegedly diverted into a dubious company’s account after being returned by the original payee.
As a result, the LACC and the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) are now probing the matter, which involves the BSE, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), and a firm known as “B-Flex” registered as a construction company.
The BSE is a government entity that oversees several state-owned enterprises, including the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the National Port Authority (NPA), and the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), which are critical to the country’s infrastructure and service delivery.
Remarking during his Senior Management Meeting recently, DG Massaquoi said, “Despite our dedicated efforts to transition the BSE into a fully legislated entity, there are individuals with ill intentions seeking to hinder this progress.”
“Their aim is to discourage our partners and obstruct the growth and development of the BSE, and as you may be aware, the BSE has recently been the subject of negative media coverage and social media discussions.
However, I want to assure you that the allegations of procurement fraud being circulated stem from incidents that occurred before this administration, and since taking office, we have taken significant steps to address these negative campaigns and ensure transparency,” he said.
Massaquoi maintained, “I would also like to inform you that the BSE has been under investigation by the LACC following a complaint filed by Varlee Sanor this 2025. I assure you that the LACC’s report will be released soon, and its findings will form the basis for necessary actions moving forward.”
According to him, despite these challenges, the BSE remains focused on engaging with partners such as the European Union, which has demonstrated confidence in its institution by providing budgetary support.
He, however, revealed that the BSE is organizing a workshop with State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Ganta City, Nimba County, and it is an event that will help clarify the roles of SOEs and establish effective measures to enhance their performance.
The BSE Boss further asserted, “I am also pleased to report that on March 20, 2025, the BSE successfully hosted a one-day validation workshop at the Banquet Hall of the Administrative Complex.”
He emphasized, “This workshop brought together SOE heads to validate the draft act for the establishment of the State-Owned Enterprises Authority (SEAL), and all necessary procurement processes are in place to secure transportation buses for our staff, addressing ongoing commuting challenges.”
“Additionally, we are in the final stages of implementing an insurance scheme to cover health-related concerns for our employees, and these are just a few of the many initiatives we are undertaking to restore integrity to our institution and improve the welfare of our staff.
Let us stand united in making history that our children will one day be proud of, let us stand together to fight against those who seek to undermine our progress, and let us stand united to make the BSE great again!” Massaquoi admonished.
“Procurement Fraud Occurred Before This Administration” -BSE Boss Clarifies
