By Bill W. Cooper
The Ministry of Public Works has sharply responded to allegations made by some senators regarding the illegal awarding of roads contracts to several contractors to the tune of over US$21 million without legislative approval.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry vehemently and categorically denied any wrongdoing and stated that all contracts awarded by the Ministry have been done in accordance with the law.
The Ministry clarified, “So, no illegal contracts have been awarded as was alleged; besides, the Ministry’s actions are all justified within the context of the Public Procurement Law of Liberia.”
The Ministry clarified further that, at no point in time, has it asked any contractor(s) to secure loans as claimed by those senators noting, “Any contractor securing loan from a commercial bank on account of a contract being awarded is doing so on the Company’s volition, and does not represent the Ministry of Public Works.”
Last weekend, the Liberian Senate proceeded to investigate the Public Works Ministry for awarding over US$21 million worth of contracts to several contractors without legislative approval.
The Senate’s mandate its joint committees on Judiciary, Public Works and Public Accounts and Audits to investigate the Ministry came as a result of a complaint from four senators.
They include Senators Nathaniel McGill of Margibi, Abraham Dillon of Montserrado, Gbehzongar Findley of Brand Bassa and Simeon Taylor of Grand Cape Mount Counties respectively.
In their communication, the 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 in violation of the Public Financial Management and the PPCC Act and article 34(d) of the Liberian Constitution.
But debunking the allegation, the Ministry said, “Compliant with Section 40 Count (2) of the PPCA of 2010, the Ministry prayed the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission on March 5, 2024 requesting for No Objection to award Rehabilitation and Periodic Road Maintenance Contracts to Contractors already mobilized in the 12 corridors across the country.”
The Ministry justified that the conditions under which the No Objection should be granted by the PPCC were that the Presidential 100-Day deliverables are time-bound, and that there are contractors with the requisite technical capacity that are being streamlined and were already mobilized in those corridors, coupled with a Letter of Commitment from the Ministry of Finance that the 100-Day deliverables which were captured in the 2024 draft National Budget.
According to the Public Works Ministry, the premised on these justifications, a “No Objection” has been approved by the PPCC under Single Source Procurement Method for the Rehabilitation and Periodic Maintenance of Primary Road Corridors as indicated supra.
“However, this act does not require legislative approval. So, while we acknowledge the concerns of some Senators over the proper use of taxpayers’ funds, the onus is also upon them, amongst other things, to provide germane information relevant to the improvement of the Road Sector,” the release added.
The Ministry then reiterated that President Joseph N. Boakai’s 100-Day deliverables as promised during the 2023 campaign period is on course, ensuring that road users are given the best possible convenience.
