“I Won’t Take Action against Yekeh Kolubah” -Public Works Minister-Designate Rescinds on 48 Hrs. Ultimatum

Despite the earlier press release issued by the Ministry of Public Works on May 18, 2022 against the outlandish and slanderous statement against the Acting Minister of Public Works Mrs. Ruth Coker-Collins by Representative Yekeh Kolubah and demanding for retraction or face legal action within 48 hours, the office of the Minister designate has said she will not take further actions against the District #10 lawmaker after consultation with her family, lawyer and friends.

Although the release gave the Representative forty-eight hours to retract his statement or face legal action, the Public Works Minister designate says she will not take further actions against the District #10 lawmaker after consultation with her family, lawyers and friends.

The release quoted the Minister designate as saying she will remain professional as always, given her ethical standards that she brings to the public space dating as far back as working with the United Nations (UN) and other international bodies.

Minister Collins said she will continue to carry out her roles and responsibilities without fear or favor and in accordance with His Excellency President George Manneh Weah’s Pro Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) and the Executive law of 1972 which amongst other things, gives the MPW the mandate to adequately administer the Engineering component of the State in terms of surveying, drafting/designing, construction and supervision, to improve and maintain, direct or by contract all highways, bridges, roads, streets,  airport, seaport, and all other public infrastructure  in the Republic of Liberia. 

“As Deputy Minister for Technical Services I oversaw all technical aspects of the Ministry of Public Works which remains the core function of the Ministry, before being nominated as Public Works Minister by His Excellency,” a statement from the office of the Minister designate said Thursday, May 19, 2022.

According to the Public Works Minister designate, she understands clearly that some males like Representative Kolubah rarely come across professional women due to their imprudence, so they think women don’t merit their true roles in society.

Madam Coker Collins who for several years resided on the Old Road herself, says despite the political persuasion Rep. Kolubah wants through road rehabilitation, he and any other political actors wanting to do road works or infrastructural development that fall in the preview of the Ministry must seek technical advice and permit from the Ministry before carrying out such, so as not to provide unreliable and substandard materials that have the propensity to embarrass the entire government.

“I will continue to carry out my duties without hindrance or intimidation but in compliance with the laws of Liberia no matter who is involved”, she stated.

As far as Madam Coker-Collins is concerned, the insults against her person are beyond her but she rather believes Rep. Kolubah has insulted the women of Liberia in totality “It’s now left to the women of Liberia to decide the fate of the lawmaker for future reference”, she said.

It can be recalled, on Tuesday during the 5th Session of the 54th Legislature, Representative Yekeh Kolubah openly accused the Public Works Minister-designate of engaging in extramarital affairs with President Weah’s Minister of State, Nathaniel McGill.

Representative Kolubah was eventually thrown out of session.