By Bill W. Cooper
The Liberian Senate has mandated its Committees on Judiciary, Public Works and Public Accounts and Audits to investigate the Public Works Ministry for awarding over US$21 million worth of contracts to several contractors without legislative approval.
The plenary’s decision over the weekend, follows a joint communication from Senators Nathaniel McGill, Abraham Dillon, Gbehzongar Findley and Simeon Taylor of Margibi, Montserrado, Grand Bassa and Grand Cape Mount Counties respectively.
In their communication, the four lawmakers said that the Ministry of Public Works awarded contracts valued US$21 million to some contractors for the rehabilitation and construction of roads across the country.
McGill, Dillon, Findley, Taylor maintained that it is fundamental that any government institution issuing contracts must ensure that funding is available before awarding such contracts as outlined in the Public Financial Management and the PPCC Act.
According to them, any institution seeking to enter into pre-financing agreements must first seek Legislative approval consistent with article 34(d) of the Liberian constitution and its subsection where applicable.
The four senators further revealed that the contract analysis include but not limited to, CHICO from Salayea to Voinjama an amount of US$3,999.000, SSF from Voinjama to Foya, US$1,719.976.40, and SSF from Foya to Mendikorma, US$740,650.
Others are CICO from Tapita to Zwedru US$3,200.000, CHICO, from Zwedru to Karnweakan US$2,434.700, Barclaycille to Pleebo US$1,507.750, Buchanna to ITI, US$2,123.651.88 and ITI to Greenville, US$2, 882. 000.
They mentioned the financial tracking instruments which also place emphases on international and national open competitive bidding processes for contract ceiling for procurement of goods and services.
The four senators at the same time pointed to the Ministry’s failure to adhere to the amended and restated Public Procurement and Concession Act of 2005, as such the awarding of said contracts demonstrate lack of adherence to the rule of law.
They maintained that the Ministry allegedly awarded the contracts on a letter to proceed which gives the contractors the right to acquire loan on a pre-financing agreement, arguing that such should not be done without an approved national budget.
Meanwhile, the four senators are calling on their colleagues to disallow the Public Works Ministry from proceeding with the contracts until the budget is approved by the Legislature.
Even though the Senate’s joint committee is expected to report back to plenary within one week for action, it has been observed that the Ministry’s reliance for carrying on several roads rehabilitation across the country is in fulfillment of President Joseph Boakai 100 days deliverables promised.
