Monrovia – The government of Liberia, specifically the Ministry of Public Works, is under fire for its handling of road construction projects in the country. Two years ago, the ministry entered into an agreement with road construction company “DESIRE” to undertake the construction and maintenance of a crucial 130-kilometer road between Sinoe and Rivercess Counties, known as Lot 2 ITI Bridge to Sinoe County. The project, valued US$1,905,218.80, has encountered numerous issues, leaving travelers stranded and raising questions about the effective use of taxpayer funds.
By: Henry Karmo [email protected]
Despite the government having paid 60% of the contracted amount, the company has failed to complete the project, with only 83% of the work claimed to be finished. Consequently, travelers to the affected region now face tremendous difficulties reaching their destinations, enduring long delays and even being forced to spend days in muddy conditions. This has sparked widespread concerns among Liberians who feel that their hard-earned money has been wasted on a road that remains incomplete and inaccessible.
Adding to the public’s frustration is the Ministry of Public Works’ failure to hold the construction company accountable for its non-performance. Instead of ensuring compliance and completion of the project, the ministry has awarded new contracts to the same company in other locations, despite its track record of non-compliance. In a perplexing development, the ministry granted “DESIRE” an additional contract worth one million three hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,350,000) to construct a road between Tappita and Zleah Town in Grand Gedeh County. This amount exceeds the funding required to complete the abandoned ITI road project, which the company has withdrawn from and left unfinished.
Recent allegations made in the Senate have further compounded the government’s troubles. Public Works Minister Ruth Coker-Collins has been accused of lying under oath when she claimed that the road project was 83% complete, despite acknowledging the company’s non-compliance and failure to meet expectations. In response, the Senate has called on Minister Coker-Collins and her team to return with their legal representatives to explain why she should not be held in contempt for her false testimony. Senators have also accused the minister and her staff of violating the budget law, specifically section 8B of the 2023 Budget Law, which mandates that road construction specifications and contracts be submitted to the legislature through the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) before and after construction to ensure value for money.
Additionally, senators have accused the ministry of colluding with contractors and misusing government resources. They claim that once a contract is awarded to a particular company, the ministry authorizes advance payments. After receiving these funds, the contractors only partially complete the work, and instead of processing additional payments for project completion, the ministry awards new contracts to the same company. Consequently, the company withdraws its equipment from the existing contract and deploys it to the new project, while the ministry utilizes its own equipment to address the abandoned project.
The revelations of mismanagement, non-compliance, and misallocation of funds have sparked public outrage, raising serious questions about the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance. Liberians are demanding swift action to rectify these issues and ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently for the benefit of the country’s infrastructure and its citizens.