Monrovia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has established the Yellow Machines Board of Authority (YMBOA) to oversee the management, deployment, and maintenance of 285 yellow machines procured by the Government of Liberia for nationwide road and infrastructure development.
Former Minister of National Defense Brownie J. Samukai has been appointed Executive Chairperson of the Board’s Coordinating Committee, ahead of the arrival of the first batch of the long-awaited equipment from China.
The acquisition of the yellow machines forms part of the government’s strategy to strengthen state capacity in road construction and maintenance, reduce reliance on private contractors, and address chronic infrastructure deficits that have left large parts of the country inaccessible, particularly during the rainy season. Officials say the equipment will be used for road rehabilitation, farm-to-market roads, drainage works, and other public infrastructure projects.
The YMBOA is mandated to develop and enforce a comprehensive policy and management framework to ensure accountability, cost efficiency, and proper utilization of the machines. Its responsibilities include the receipt, deployment, storage, operation, and maintenance of the equipment.
The Board is chaired by the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, with the Ministry of Public Works serving as Co-Chair. Other members include the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning, National Defense, Agriculture, Local Government, Information, and the General Services Agency. The Chairperson of the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC) will serve as Secretary to the Board.
President Boakai also constituted the SPPCC, naming Samukai as Executive Chairperson and National Coordinator. The committee includes Roger S.W.Y. Domah as Deputy Coordinator for Administration and St. Jerome Larbelee as Deputy Coordinator for Operations, supported by a technical staff.
Under the guidance of the YMBOA, the SPPCC will manage the yellow machines as a Special Presidential Project, coordinate with relevant government agencies, and prepare a National Deployment Plan for approval. The committee is required to submit monthly reports on the status and use of the equipment and to operate under a strict “maintenance-first” policy aimed at extending the machines’ lifespan and ensuring value for money.
Last month, Deputy Minister of Public Works for Technical Services Prince Tambah announced from China that the first batch of the 285 machines had been loaded onto a vessel bound for Liberia, with arrival in Monrovia expected in late March 2026. Additional shipments are scheduled to follow.
Government officials say the arrival of the machines is expected to mark a significant step in the Boakai administration’s efforts to improve national connectivity and accelerate infrastructure development across Liberia.
