“I am a businessman and not a politician. Let people take me and my companies from politics. I will continue to do business here,’ these were the exact words of the General Manager of the East International Construction Company and Quality Construction Company
Jakona Kelvin Buima stated, “We have over 130 Liberians and 20 foreigners hired by the companies and these employees have dependents to survive and as a young Liberian I go out there to look for contracts and as well look for people to come and work in Liberia.”
On mobile phone Sunday morning, August 28, 2022, Mr. Buima admitted that he is a friend to many former and present government officials including Mr. McGill as well as Vice Presidents, senators and representatives.
The General Manager of East International Construction Company and Quality Construction Company termed as ‘total witch hunt and falsehood’ allegations linking him as the manager of several businesses owned by the suspended Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill.
But it is shocking for him to have heard that his companies are being attached to Mr. McGill which is ‘laughable and it does not makes sense at all level.
“I see McGill as a big brother; he’s a good man. I have seen lots of people around him and he’s my friend. McGill has never asked anyone to give me project or contracts to my companies before to even speak about having share owning my companies; I can sometimes begged him for money,” he stated.
Responding further on the allegation, Buima said, “I am a businessman and I will do business with any administration that will come to national power. I did business with the Unity Party, I am doing with CDC’s led government and I will do business with any administration that will come to power.”
What about the Lebanese that are closed to people in power? Why is that they continuously attack Liberians? We are not deterred by anybody and nobody can run us out of here, I’m a Vai, Gola and Mandingo man, a true Liberian and I will continue to do business and create employments for other Liberians,” he said.
The it was posted on social media that Jakona Kelvin Buima, is reportedly the manager of suspended Nathaniel McGill ‘bogus companies’ in Liberia where all major government contracts were directed and awarded. The post suggest that some of those contracts were either not carried out at all, or were carried out without the right specifications.
“Recordings in my possession have Kelvin on calls striking deals and boasting of his proximity to McGill. He runs all McGill undercover operations and was influential in the appointment of the Minister and a Deputy Minister of Public Works for the purpose of awarding government contracts to McGill companies he runs. In addition, Kelvin went on several trips with McGill out of the country and was introduced to would be investors as his point of contact in the country. Accounts associated with McGill are in Kevin’s name, and the companies he run on McGill’s behalf,” the post indicated.
According to him, his companies were awarded contracts during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at which time there was no Nathaniel McGill or the current ruling Coalition for Democratic Change.
Commenting on the issue of him being deported from China, he explained, “I have never been deported from China before as some of business partners are Chinese. I most often visit China for equipment and for investors. I have no idea of what they are talking about.”
Mr. Buima indicated that both East International and Quality Group Construction Companies were registered since 2010 and 2013 respective, during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf administration.
Buima, who earned a Masters Management from the Cuttington University urged investigators and well-meaning Liberians to go to the Liberia Business Registry for verification.
Neither denying or refuting the allegation of the Public Procurement Concession Commission being threatened by him, the East International General Manager clarified that authorities of PPCC decided to award a contract to a company that was established like yesterday, a company that did not have the capacity to do the job, after the evaluation form.
According to him, the procurement entity awarded a contract to the construction company (name withheld) and he raised issues with the PPCC; something that resulted to the involvement of Justice Ministry and there was an investigation between the head of PPCC, Atty. Roseline Kowo and the East International.
“My companies have been attacked several times in the media all because I am a Liberian who has been helping to create jobs. But I will say one thing; I will not be deterred by paid agents, people have been paid to attack my person, character and companies and I won’t bow down to them or to their pressure. They can take to Facebook, Instagram, traditional media and media alerts I don’t care. I am open and I win contracts on merits.
