By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Economic Freedom Fighters of Liberia, through its Commander in Chief, Emmanuel Gonquoi has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to begin the fight against corruption in his own office. “If this Government must succeed in the fight against corruption, the President must start the fight from within his own office-”Emmanuel Gonquoi, CIC, EFF.
Gonquoi made the call when he delivered the closing address at a press conference held on January 22, 2025, at the National Headquarters of the Unity Party in Monrovia, during which the Unity Party outlined the achievements and challenges of the Boakai administration.
Emmanuel Gonquoi, a supporter of the Boakai administration averred that there are officers in the office of the President that used their position to carry out shadow deals at the expense of the government.
He continued by stating that on many occasions would go about reneging on their duties to the government and the people of Liberia, but when confronted by the executives of the Unity Party, they would argue that it was their connection to the office of the President that gave them Job.
“There are officials of this Government who are not implementing their duties to the Government and the people who suffered for this Government to come to power, but when you confront them, they say it was not the people that gave them a job but their connection to the President’s Office.”
In furtherance, he called on the President to begin implementing the findings surrounding the procurement and imputation of the 285 earth-moving equipment.
He revealed that the findings are currently on the Vice President’s desk and that the President’s implementation of the findings from the report will determine if his administration is willing to fight corruption from within in office.
It can be referenced that on May 14, 2024, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s Minister of State Without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, at the first cabinet meeting announced that the government had acquired 285 pieces of earth moving machines to bolster low-cost road construction and maintenance.
The announcement of the equipment, which has a market value in the neighborhood of 30 million, sparked concerns among the public and the legislature, questioning the procurement arrangement under which these machines were acquired.
Following public concerns, the government, on May 27, 2024, through the Minister of Information Jerolinmek Piah, somersaulted on the initial statement stating that there has been no agreement reached with any organization or individual regarding large-scale acquisition of road construction and maintenance equipment.
“The government did not decide and has not decided 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, that will be announced,” he said.
He asserted that the presentation was showcasing what the government intends to do but has not reached that decision, adding that all lawful procedures will be met before a decision can be reached.
However, on July 6, 2024, the government received the first batch of machines, parading the corridors of Gandersville, Paynesville, and Monrovia and subsequently parking the equipment at the Edward BM Kesseley Barracks in Monrovia.
During the arrival, minister Bility stated: “I’m honestly happy for Liberia. This is a dream come true for any well-meaning Liberia because, as I said in the presentation (In the video), (if) you know the conditions of our roads and you know the situation of Liberia. You will be happy that we have this equipment here because half of our country is in the bush. Most of our people don’t have access to roads. Why do you think agriculture is not improving? [It’s] because they don’t have access to roads and they don’t have access to the markets. So this is the hour of the ARREST agenda roads, so we are going to open the country.”
The arrival further intensified the legislature’s concern about the procurement process, leading to the president writing the legislature to provide clarity on how the machines were brought into the country.
In his letter dated July 9, 2024, President Boakai informed members of both Houses that the government’s effort to acquire what is now known as yellow machines came out of a conversation with a long-time friend (relationship) who believes in his political agenda and has expressed his willingness to help.
President Boakai’s letter states: “The initiative originated from a conversation between me and a long-time friend who shares a commitment to the ARREST Agenda. This friend was moved by the spirit of solidarity and a strong desire to participate in the implementation, in the shortest possible time, of our development agenda. He offered to provide equipment in good faith and on a gentleman’s agreement.”
