Sen. Konneh Elated Over Yellow Machine New Deal -Pledges Support If Deal Aligns with Law; Wants Consequences for Price Inflators

MONROVIA – Last year in July when 24 pieces of the much-talked 285 yellow machines entered the country, the occasion presented a huge sigh of relief for Liberians who yearned for better roads to commute across the country and conduct business. Despite their elation, Liberians however remained cautious over the $79 million astronomical price tag for the yellow machines. They were also suspicious over how the deal got consummated without going through the country’s procurement processes. But in a strange and fortunate turn of events, the Joseph Nyuma Boakai Government has now renegotiated the yellow machine deal from US$79 million to US$22 million, thus saving Liberian taxpayers of US$57 million, a situation that has left critical voices like Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh to express joy over the renegotiated deal. He also called for punitive actions to be taken against those who inflated the price of the yellow machines.

Senate Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Amara M. Konneh was pivotal in the election of President Boakai’s election during the 2023 presidential runoff. Konneh has since remained a critical voice in the Liberian Senate, pinpointing governance missteps, especially the 285 yellow machine saga.

But when news of the renegotiated deal was announced last week by Government’s official spokesman Jeronlimek Piah, Senator Konneh was suddenly supportive of the development.

“We’re thrilled about the news regarding the yellow machines! It is refreshing to hear that President Boakai has dramatically slashed costs, saving our country millions that would have otherwise lined personal pockets.

“We hear the new price is USD 22 million, a jaw-dropping three times less than before, a whopping USD 57 million savings! We hope he addresses procurement and public financial management (PFM) issues, as our country deserves quality roads free from corruption and politicization.

“We’ll support him once the new scheme aligns with our laws! Thank you to the President for listening and delegating this task to Vice President Koung, who has done a fantastic job. There should be consequences for those who inflated the original costs and bypassed our PPCC and PFM Laws, scandalizing a good vision.

New Terms Renegotiation

It can be recalled that the Government of Liberia recently announced that it had renegotiated the price and terms of payment of 285 yellow machines, thus saving over $22 million.

The Government of Liberia has achieved favorable terms in renegotiating the purchase and shipment of the much anticipated 285 pieces of earth moving equipment.

According to Information Minister Piah, the committee set up by President Boakai and headed by Vice President Jeremiah Koung accessed possibilities of procuring the yellow machines considering price tag, shipment, and distribution across the 15 counties, and submitted a report to President Boakai.

The report assured citizens that the earth moving equipment will be brought in the same quantity (285 pcs) with significant reduction in the initial price. In the renegotiation, suppliers agreed to sell the machine at a total cost of US$22M.

The payment, according to the report, will be consistent with the national budget, and the full amount completed within three years beginning 2025.

Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah said the first batch of payment is in the current budget 2025, and the suppliers will release the full quantity of the equipment after the first payment, adding that the government will complete the financial obligations over the next two years.

The report paves the way for the formal procurement process, with each county set to benefit from 19 pieces of the earth-moving equipment to enhance infrastructure development particularly with road connectivity.