-Amid reports of alleged Corruption
By Jerromie S. Walters
Margibi County Senator Nathanial F. McGill has urged the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to take immediate action regarding serious allegations of fraud, abuse of power, and corruption against Commerce Minister Amin Modad. Over the weekend, McGill announced plans to formally request an investigation by the Liberian Senate into allegations against the Minister.
“We will submit a formal communication to the Senate Plenary, urging the LACC to launch an immediate investigation into these troubling allegations,” McGill stated. “It is imperative that we get to the bottom of how the minister, who previously served as a board member, failed to settle a debt of $400,000 owed to the Former FIB, now known as the SIB, which directly contributed to the bank’s bankruptcy.”
Commence Minister Amin Modad has received lashes in recent days for acquiring a yacht and 2024 Chevy Suburban that was reportedly bought by a company (MedTech). Like several others, Senator McGill expressed particular concern over the minister’s acquisition of a luxury yacht, stating, “How is it possible that someone who has not fulfilled their financial obligations can afford a yacht comparable in cost to the one purchased by Former President Tubman? This raises serious questions about the source of the minister’s wealth.”
In addition to the yacht controversy, McGill highlighted another alarming issue involving the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). “We must also investigate the unauthorized purchase of a vehicle for the Minister of Commerce by the LRA,” he said. “As a revenue collection agency, the LRA has no mandate to buy vehicles for any government official. This is a clear misuse of resources that needs to be addressed.”
“We must uphold the principle that ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands,’” McGill concluded, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in government.
Modad Clarifies
In a write up via his official Facebook page Sunday, September 22, 2024, Commerce Minister Amin Modad categorically denied claims of receiving gifts or vehicles from businesses, asserting that all vehicles associated with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are government property, intended solely for revenue-generating functions. “No custom-made, bulletproof vehicle costing $150,000 was purchased; the images circulating online are actually of former U.S. President Trump’s vehicle,” he clarified. He added that he has been using his personal S-Class Mercedes for official duties, covering all associated costs out of his own pocket.
The Minister emphasized that his motivations for taking on this role were not financially driven. “I did not fight for this change, risk my investments, and assume this position for monetary gain. My focus is on building a credible government and a vibrant, inclusive economy for future generations,” Modadexplained. He pointed out his proactive steps to support the President’s agenda, including a 40% salary cut and a refusal to accept fees from boards on which he serves.
Under Modad’s leadership, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has seen significant improvements in revenue generation. Although the ministry projected $3.8 million in revenue last year but only achieved $1.9 million, Modadreported a turnaround, generating $1.6 million within the first five months of his tenure. He anticipates that revenue could reach between $2.5 million and $3 million by December.
Despite global and domestic price pressures, Modad noted that commodity prices, including rice and petroleum, have continued to decline. He proudly stated that there has been no shortage of rice or other essential goods in the market for the past eight months, even addressing concerns about excess supply. The Minister also highlighted initiatives to support local manufacturing and empower Liberians in sustainable food production, including negotiating financing and training opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women, youth, and smallholders.
“I value my integrity and cherish this unique privilege to serve my people. I remain resolute and will not be deterred,” Modadaffirmed. He expressed readiness for any inquiries into his conduct and thanked his supporters for their continued trust amidst what he described as false narratives and deceptive posts. “Some individuals thrive on discord and the misfortunes of others, but I remain focused on my mission. God bless Liberia,” he concluded.
What a controversial UP supporter thinks:
Martin K. N. Kollie, one of the many individuals who vigorously supported the candidacy of President Joseph Boakaiappears frustrated about the recent news of Commerce Minister Modad’s new luxury vehicle.
He writes: “It is okay for a “Rescue” Minister to use a 2024 Chevy Suburban costing more than US$100,000 while thousands of Liberian parents cannot afford tuition and fees to send their children to school this academic year amid rising costs of education in Liberia. It is okay for thousands of civil servants to earn an average of US$150 for a whole month while a single Minister rides a US$121K car in Monrovia.
Kollie further noted, “Just the vehicle of Commerce Minister Amin Modad alone can pay 807 civil servants a month. Is this what we promised our people, especially the ordinary people who struggled to bring this government to power and are currently suffering and catching hard times? This is NOT “Rescue”. This is an abuse of our people’s power, struggle, and sacrifice. It is okay for one person to have this luxurious car while thousands of residents are being displaced right now in Monrovia due to unprecedented floods and millions are still unemployed as a result of a dead private sector. What good is “Rescue” then, we ask.”
When Minister Amin Modad defended the increase in the price of rice (our staple food) and even justified why such an increment could not be prevented, we became suspicious of his motive. We had thought that a Minister of Commerce and Industry would have pushed back against importers’ unreasonable demand to hike rice prices. Instead, he defended importers amid far-reaching economic implications for poor households and low-income consumers due to such a hike.
He alleged that the 2024 Chevy Suburban that Minister Modadhas was bought with money from a company (MedTech) that has allegedly stolen millions of U.S. dollars. “It is of no surprise to us that Min. Modad again was defending MedTech when he appeared before the Liberian Legislature. Now we know why he said MedTech should stay. The money used to buy this car came from MedTech through the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and this is a fact. We are challenging anyone, including Minister Modad, to disprove this,” he said.
He stressed: “Secondly, Minister Modad as per his position is the regulator or referee of the Commerce, Trade, and Industry Sector in Liberia. But he is receiving a car or a “gift” bought with cash from MedTech through LRA. This so-called and “dubious” screening/scanning Dubai-based company is also a player/actor in this same sector. But Min. Modad thinks there’s nothing wrong to take a car from them through a MedTech-LRA arrangement.”
Kollie argues that Minister Modad has violated the 2014 Code of Conduct Law specifically Section 1.3.3 (Casual Gift) and Section 1.3.2 (Conflict of Interest). “Receiving a car from the proceeds of a “criminal” company that is currently under investigation at the Liberian Senate over allegations of defraudand other criminal activities amounts to complicity and conflict of interest. This is also a violation of the 2005 Public Procurement Concession (PPCC) Law of Liberia and the 2021 New Anti-Corruption (LACC) Law of Liberia,” he says.
