The debate surrounding the arrival of the controversial yellow machines continued to widen across the Country.
As the sole intend of the earth moving equipment has been welcomed and embraced by many, the issue of transparency and accountability surrounding the machines saga continues to be a sticky and key point of concern and discussions.
In the wake of seeking more questions and answers surrounding the Yello machine, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in a letter currently circulating on the social media bearing his signature and official office letter head and dated July 9, 2024 openly disclosed that there is no contract or agreement at the moment that requires legislative ratification and “we are committed to maintaining open lines of communication with the Legislature throughout this process . Once we have a formal agreement and CIF value, we will engage with the National Legislature with our laws”,the communication added.
President Boakai through the communication assured the Legislature that they are scrupulously pursuing the acquisition process for these machines guided by the principles of transparency and good faith.
As Liberians including Lawmakers continue to raise concerns and queries surrounding the process leading to acquisition of the yellow machines , the Chief Executive through the communication unveiled that the machines were given by one of his friends who named the letter did not mention but pointed out that it was in good faith and gentlemen’s agreement even though the letter earlier stated that they are currently in the negotiations phase.
“We are currently in the negotiations phase.no formal agreement or contract has been signed with any party, the discussions are ongoing , no financial commitment has been made by the Government of Liberia and a dime paid”, President Boakai through the communication further clarified.
Providing additional clarity through the communication, President Boakai said no public funds was utilized and to date, no funds from the Liberian Treasury has been expanded on the project.
In the wake of the current ongoing negotiations, Liberians over the weekend cheered and embraced the parade of the earth moving equipment in the Country.
According to some Liberians, how can negotiations be ongoing without an assurance than the subject of the discussions surface but the communication addressing such concerns stated that first batch of equipment arrived and paraded in the Country were shipped at the supplier’s, “unnamed” expense inidcated further that the Government of Liberia in the communication did incurred any costs related to the transportation of the acquisition of these machines.
But in conversation with our reporter , some concern citizens questioned the motive surrounding the arrival of the machines in the absence of reaching a full agreement as the discussions are said to be still ongoing.
They also raised concern on the name of the supplier when in fact, the Liberian leader through the communication initially stated that the machines were given by one of his friends and in good faith and gentlemen’s agreement, even though the name of the friend is yet to be made know to the public or media.
However, the communication stressed that in the case where the negotiations become unsuccessful and or failed to yield a mutually beneficial agreement, the unnamed supplier not a friend as indicated earlier retains the right to reclaim the equipment and may choose to sell them within the Liberian market or re-export them, this he stated through the communication assures that the Government of Liberia is not fully burdened or contractually bond.
On the other hand the concern citizen also doubt the possibility of the machines returning to its original unknown point even though there is not final decision reached .
According to them, the Liberian leader is allegedly playing a smart game, a game intended to put the Legislature against the people should the negotiations failed to yield a mutually beneficial agreement.
“We recognized and respect the role of the National Legislature in the ratification process . Once the negotiations are concluded a formal agreement is being reached, we will promptly submit the necessary documents to the national Legislature for consideration and ratification and at that point, we welcome any request for clarification or discussions to ensure that the process remains transparent and accountable”, the communication noted.
But speaking to our reporter on the issue, the concern citizens in a vox pop interview also described such assurance and clarification in the letter as untimely and very belated.
“This should have been done even before the arrival of these machines and these clarities would have been save for another time but we think that this is a cover up and a smart move”, they blasted.
Meanwhile, as part of the proposed project in the wake of the ongoing negotiations process, it is expected that a maintenance zone will be established in each County and each County is also expected to receive requisition numbers of machines for road construction and maintenance.
“This setup will guarantee the accelerated opening of the entire Country in order to speed up with development “, the communication lamented.
As the debate surrounding the earth moving equipment continues, the issue of transparency and accountability continues to top the discussions while the motive and intend of the machines has been embraced and welcomed by the public.
With more queries from the Lawmakers surrounding the process leading to the acquisition of the yellow machines including doubts, concerns and questions especially surrounding the full name of the friend of the President who has so far given the machines in good faith and on a gentlemen’s agreement as well as the full name and location including background of the supplier who at his or her expense shipped the first batch of the equipment into the Country, the debate appears to be far from over.
