By Bill W. Cooper
The government has openly retracted its previous pronouncement about securing a controversial deal of 285 earthmoving machines for road construction and maintenance across Liberia.
What was supposed to be a welcoming news for the government especially on its ARREST Agenda had become a controversy when the Minister of State without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, announced in the first major cabinet retreat over the weekend, that the Unity Party (UP) government was bringing into the country series of earth-moving equipment which could cost the government over US$30 million for roads construction and maintenance.
According to Minister Bility, the equipment would have been distributed 19 per county; a move that would see smaller counties getting the same number of equipment as bigger counties to ease the burden of rural farmers and travelers would normally face in commuting from one county to another.
She added, “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.”
Minister Bility explained that the coming of the equipment is a hallmark of a new beginning to change the destiny of Liberians, and noted, “If you know the history of Liberia, and know the conditions of our road, this is more than just turning machines over.”
However, the news of the equipment which included variety of yellow machines and trucks has since promoted series of debate with some Liberians calling for source of funding and transparency associated with the procuring process, while others are still commending the government.
Commenting on the matter amidst the public outcry, Information Minister, Jerolinmek Piah clarified that the government has not secured the deal of machines, saying, “No deal has been made” in contravention to Minister Bility pronouncement.
He said, “The Government did not decide and has not made a decision on the earth-moving equipment. There was only a video that came out unveiling the vehicles that the government is looking at but has not decided to have yellow machines, and once it is concluded, the public will be informed.”
According to him, the presentation by Minister Bility at the cabinet retreat was only showcasing what the government intends to do but has not reached that decision, and asserted that all lawful procedures will be met before a decision can be reached.
He reiterated, “Like I said earlier, no decision have been reached on those earth moving equipment but we will get earth moving equipment for our roads but not in an illegal way or shady way.”
Minister Piah called on the public and citizenry to exhibit some level of restraints until the final agreement is reached or consummated by the government in due time.
Meanwhile, a local daily, prior to Piah’s clarification reported that President Joseph Boakai declines multimillion-dollar token, which aides facilitated to apparently lure authorities to surrendering the country’s remaining mining assets to Chinese and South African mineral barons.
According to the report, the President reportedly called off the deal in an emergency cabinet meeting held Monday, May 27, 2024, according to some officials that have close proximity to the Presidency.
