MONROVIA – From the mere surface of it, looking from mere emotional perspective, the importation of some 285 pieces of road equipment in a chronically challenged country is a redemptive move and is called for. But deeper beneath the surface, enligtened minds find something horribly unlawful and wrong, particularly reading from Liberia’s history which is replete with procurement frauds—quid pro quo arrangements that often oil scoundrels’ personal pockets and interests. Thus, the Liberian public appears split between those who think the sources and procuredures involved, even if the Devil was involvedd, should not matter on the one hand, and those who think the Boakai administration which sailed to national leadership on the matra of “ending business as usual” must be thoroughly checked and repreminded for such a “questionable deal” on the other. Nimba County Representative Musa Hassan Bility joins the latter view and has begun molibizing colleagues to reject the road equipment deal. THE ANALYST reports.
There has been much ado about some 285 yellow machines negotiated by the Joseph Boakai administration professedly to counter Liberia’s perennial road deficit which many before the regime found difficult to remedy.
It has been confirmed that nearly a half the number of machines has already arrived in the country, and Unity Party zealot partisans paraded with them throughout the principal streets of Monrovia Saturday.
Liberian laws, including the Constitution, say the Legislature should ratify loans of the magnitude of the Boakai-acquired road equipment deal, and procurement standards and policies also require prior competitive bidding. But, so far, the Boakai administration reportedly went into a deal with a yet unknown supplier that shipped the equipment to Liberia even before the Executive Branch asked the Legislature to stamp the deal with ratification.
The question of whether the Legislature should go ahead or not has split the country regarding the deal that is supposedly intended to contribute to overcoming the terrible road conditions that country has faced for so long, simply because of how the deal to bring the equipment was consummated. Many disagreed with the process while others say it should be granted.
Nimba County Representative Musa Bility is one of many Liberians, including high public servants, who think something serious is wrong with deal despite its promising nature to solve an intractable national debacle.
“Esteemed members of the 55th Legislature (HoR), the current situation demands that we fulfill our elected duty to safeguard our democracy,” he wrote on his Facebook page in apparent reference of road equipment deal.
“With an impending decision on a questionable loan for the procurement of machines, we must carefully consider the impact on our nation’s best interests.”
The Nimba County District 7 lawmaker opined that while the need for infrastructure improvements is evident, “the terms of this particular deal do not align with our constitutional responsibilities”.
“It is essential that we reject this proposal in order to uphold the integrity of our constitution and act in the best interest of Liberia,” he continued. “This is our moment to demonstrate unwavering commitment to our country.”
Bility’s post, as is the case with most social media posts if not all, attracted a mix of reactions.
Musa Sheriff reacted: “The constitution of Liberia was designed to benefit very few people. The 1986 constitution need to be abolished completely. How can a constitution protect individuals that committed atrocities against innocent people? Is that a constitution? I don’t believe so.
“Every few years, legislators increase their salaries and benefits and say it’s constitutional. I want a president that will bypass or suspend the Constitution and develop Liberia. The constitution seems to be an obstacle to the progress and advancement of Liberia. All the funny laws including PPCC are all corrupt laws established to enrich the “elites” and their families. When the lawmakers in Liberia make the same salaries and benefits as lawmakers in America, your called it constitutional even though America is one of the world richest country while Liberia is the world 8th poorest country on earth as of 2024.”
For his part, Jamel Whei wrote: “This is totally wrong that this Oldman [Boakai] and his boys are not respecting the constitution and also disrespecting the [House of Representatives] only because he got Dillon… controlling the Senate!!”
Dashie Zeabo had these few words: “Thank God some of you guys are seeing what is unfolding. Hope others will join you in this fright…This couldn’t be under the leadership of Former speaker Chamber. Cllr. Kofa is weak so they are using his weakness to attack the constitution by been unlawful.”
Another respondent, Krubo Duyen, wrote: “It’s a new dawn–a salient revolution challenging the status quo – No Business As Usual. It’s time for the majority of the people to have their fair share of “legal, legitimate money in the national budget. Secondly, there’s a need for a referendum to review and revise all salary scale of civil servants, government officials,legislatures,judiciary, the executive,including benefits and incentives and all tenure and term positions.”
Torkpa Korkoryiza had a few words: “Let the rejection be unequivocal.”
Nakilee Bainda tried to get even with Bility: “Hon Musa Hassan Bility, you bluffing with Brazen. When you were with the CDC regime why you didn’t made these statements?”
But for Błess Čhriś, “This is gross disrespect to the constitution and to the Legislators; we need to protect our democracy before things get out of hands.”
Other Prominent Reactions
Rep. Musa Bility is not the only high profile citizen calling for the rejection of the yellow machine deal. Many have also called for action so that the Boakai administration would not have its way in consummating a deal outside Liberian laws and policies.
Another lawmaker, Bong County Representative J. Marvin Cole, described the deal as a “mafia deal”, accusing the Boakai administraiton of violating Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) regulations.
Cole averred he would not give approbation to a deal that was concluded by the Executive Branch before submitting it for legislative ratification.
According to him, such an act is equivalent to violations and disrespect for the rule of law.
“The President did not follow the PPCC procedures or any competitive bidding processes, and he did not return to the Legislature for the agreement to be ratified,” Cole said speaking during a popular talk show recently.
“The standard that the President wants to set is unacceptable. I will vote against it, and if a single Liberian dollar goes towards paying for those machines, we will ensure that there is no more procurement process in this country. We will shut down the PPCC. The President has set a standard where you can just go and pick anything from anywhere.”
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