Clients and supporters of the Building Material Center (BMC) have pushed back against allegations that the company used government funds to construct private properties, insisting that all of its transactions were legal, documented, and carried out under formal government authorization.
The backlash comes in the wake of a Writ of Subpoena Duces Tecum issued by Criminal Court “A,” compelling BMC’s management to appear and produce detailed financial and contractual records relating to the construction of the Clar Hope Foundation—a high-profile project now under investigation.
The writ, issued during the November Term of Court and signed by Court Clerk Gabriel J. Smith, follows a petition from the Assets & Property Retrieval Task Force, chaired by Cllr. Edwin K. Martin. The Task Force is seeking access to a range of documents reportedly in BMC’s possession. According to the subpoena, BMC’s General Manager, CEO, shareholders, and all persons acting under their authority must appear before Resident Circuit Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
Documents Surface Showing Government Payments
Since the issuance of the writ, documents have surfaced appearing to show that the Government of Liberia did, in fact, disburse funds to BMC for the construction of a privately run orphanage—an arrangement the company’s defenders say contradicts claims of illegal dealings.
One such document includes a copy of a government check dated July 15, 2023, authorized by then Minister of State G. Wesseh Blamoh, in the amount of US$76,152.40, against a total contract value of US$152,305.79, issued in favor of BMC Group Construction Company. The payment was for the construction of the “Love a Child” Orphanage in Paynesville, Montserrado County, carried out under the Office of the First Lady.
The orphanage, initially launched under the Weah administration, was completed and later dedicated by President Joseph Boakai before it was tragically destroyed by fire.
Political Figures Question Government Narrative
The emergence of the documents has fueled political commentary, with former CDC official Isaac Doe openly questioning the government’s position:
“So it is true that Ma Katumu Boakai dedicated the ‘Love a Child’ orphanage home without even knowing how it was built? Fast forward to today, the very payment that went towards the construction of the same Love a Child Orphanage Home is the same payment they are saying went towards ‘City of Hope’?”
Doe’s comments reflect a growing debate over whether payments made for one government-funded social project are being misrepresented in the ongoing investigation into the Clar Hope Foundation.
BMC Supporters Maintain Company Has ‘Nothing to Hide’
Supporters of BMC insist the company has complied with all government procedures and is prepared to provide every required document in court to demonstrate the legality of its operations.
As the investigation continues, both the public and political actors await what could become a major test case for the government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive.
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