Members of the Liberian Senate have begun investigating the much talked-about missing funds in the tune of US$3 million intended for massive road rehabilitation and maintenance across the country.
The decision followed a complaint from Bomi County Senator, Edwin Snowe calling for a full-scale investigation into the alleged misappropriation of the US$3 million designated for roads rehabilitation project.
The funds, originally allocated by Western Cluster Limited under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Liberian government, were intended for critical infrastructure development from the Freeport of Monrovia to the St. Paul Bridge Corridor.
The issue was made public during the Senate session yesterday, when Sen. Snowe passionately pleaded with his colleagues to ensure thorough and impartial investigation into matter so as to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the funds.
In his communication, Snowe stated that despite the substantial financial commitment from Western Cluster Limited and subsequent contractual agreements between the Public Works Ministry and MDMC, there has been a glaring absence of progress on the ground.
He explained that under the MoU’s stipulations, Western Cluster Limited pledged US$4.5 million for various road construction projects across Liberia of which, US$1.5 million was earmarked for repairs on the Po River to Tubmanburg Road Corridor.
The Bomi County Senator also disclosed that the remaining US$3 million was allocated to the construction effort stretching from the Freeport of Monrovia to the St. Paul Bridge Corridor but said funds are yet to be accounted for.
According to him, the Ministry of Public Works had purportedly engaged MDMC in a US$3 million contractor agreement specifically for the Monrovia Freeport to St. Paul Bridge Corridor project with no visible improvements or construction activities being observed along that route.
“So colleagues, with this action being grave and serious, I am craving this body indulgence empower the Committee on Public Works to conduct a rigorous investigation into the matter in order to establish what has happened to the Liberian people money,” he maintained.
Snowe further stressed the urgency of uncovering the truth behind the apparent misuse or misallocation of funds meant for critical infrastructure projects that directly impact the lives and livelihoods of Liberian citizens.
Meanwhile, following the reading and subsequent explanation of the communication, the plenary of the Senate mandate its committee on Public Works to investigate the matter and report to full plenary within one week.
The investigation will also seek to determine how the funds were allocated, who was responsible for overseeing their use, and if not, why they were not used for the road rehabilitation projects.
The Senate at the same vowed to hold those responsible for the misappropriation of funds accountable and ensure that the money is recovered and put towards its intended purpose as well as promised to provide updates to the upon its investigation.
As the investigation commences, the misappropriation of funds for road rehabilitation is a serious issue in Liberia, where many roads are in poor condition and in need of repair as the investigation is a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability using public resources.
