MONROVIA, May 28, 2024 – Last week, Eric Akoi, the former Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), came forward with detailed allegations against Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA) Hon. Bill McGill Jones. Akoi, who was dismissed under contentious circumstances, claims that his refusal to engage in questionable procurement practices led to his ousting. The allegations center on the controversial Budget Management System contract, marking the first major corruption scandal under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
Akoi’s allegations revolve around the Budget Management System contract, originally negotiated at US$180,000. He alledged that Deputy Minister Jones unjustifiably increased the contract’s cost to US$200,000. “When the documents were presented to Hon. Jones for his signature on February 9, 2024, he refused, insisting that he needed to know what was available for him before signing,” Akoi stated. He claims Jones demanded an increase to US$240,000, later lowering it to US$220,000, and finally settling on US$200,000. Akoi refused to approve these increases without written justification, suspecting personal gain as the motive.
Allegations of Misapplication of the PPC Act
Akoi accuses Jones of misapplying the Public Procurement and Concessions (PPC) Act of 2010 to justify the cost increase. Jones cited Section 64, subsection 2b, which pertains to the procurement of goods and works, not consultancy services like the Budget Management System contract. Akoi clarifies that this section applies only when the bid price exceeds the available budget, a condition not met in this case. Instead, Akoi references Section 56 (1) of the PPC Act, governing sole source procurement. He explains that the procurement unit had negotiated with RoviaGate for US$180,000, and the documents were prepared accordingly. Akoi insists Jones’ insistence on increasing the contract cost was for personal gain and inconsistent with the law.
In his statement, Akoi also highlighted a pattern of favoritism in awarding contracts, noting that all IT-related contracts were awarded to the same service provider, despite them not being the most responsive bidders. This, he argues, exemplifies the questionable procurement practices under Jones’ administration.
Following his refusal to comply with Jones’ demands, Akoi was suspended on March 6, 2024, ostensibly for issues related to the procurement of staff buses. Akoi contends this suspension was baseless, as an internal audit investigation had cleared him of any wrongdoing. He believes his suspension and subsequent dismissal were retaliatory actions for his refusal to engage in procurement irregularities.
Documentation and Evidence
- Akoi has provided extensive documentation to support his claims, including:
- Documents for the bidding process for staff buses.
- The promissory note (contract) signed by Duke Carmax, Inc. and DMA Jones following the investigation.
- The written instruction from Jones directing the increase in the contract amount.
These documents, Akoi asserts, unequivocally demonstrate that his dismissal was unjust and motivated by a personal vendetta rather than any professional misconduct.
The Impact of Corruption and the Call for Accountability
Akoi’s revelations highlight a deeper issue of corruption within the MFDP. The wrongful dismissal of a procurement director who refused to engage in unlawful activities underscores the challenges faced by public servants committed to integrity and transparency. The allegations against Jones, if proven true, reflect a serious breach of public trust and highlight the urgent need for accountability within the ministry.
Dr. James K. Roberts, a governance and public administration expert, commented on the implications of these allegations: “The allegations against Deputy Minister Jones, if substantiated, point to a significant corruption problem that undermines public trust and governance. President Boakai’s refusal to launch a probe into these allegations represents a major dent in his administration’s credibility and ability to combat corruption effectively. Immediate and transparent investigation is essential to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence.”
This scandal poses a significant challenge to President Boakai, who was elected on a platform of integrity and a commitment to ending corruption and impunity. The administration’s response to these allegations will be a crucial test of its resolve to address corruption and maintain public trust.
