Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has firmly rejected allegations of corruption concerning the contractual agreement with RoviaGate Technology, LLC for the update and implementation of the budget management system for Fiscal Year 2024. The allegations, initially reported by Spoon FM, have been described by the Ministry as baseless and misleading.
RoviaGate Technology, LLC, a wholly Liberian-owned integrated information technology (ICT) firm, was awarded the contract following strict adherence to the regulations outlined in the Public Procurement and Concession Act of 2010. The Ministry emphasized that the selection process was transparent and lawful.
According to the MFDP, the project had three cost options:
- Option One: An estimated cost of $220,000 with a turnaround time of two weeks post-payment.
- Option Two: An estimated cost of $200,000 with a turnaround time of four weeks post-payment.
- Option Three: An estimated cost of $180,000 with a turnaround time of eight weeks post-payment.
The Ministry selected the second option, valued at $200,000, due to the four-week turnaround period, which was essential for timely resubmission of the draft budget to the legislature and to ensure the configuration, upgrade, and maintenance of the Budget Management System for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Ministry further clarified that previous adjustments to the Budget Management System (BMS) costs were similarly conducted based on enhancements requested by the Ministry and implemented by the vendor. Payments in previous fiscal years included $45,000 in FY 19/20, $55,000 in FY 20/21, and $180,000 in both FY 21/22 and FY 23.
“This process was conducted in full compliance with Section 64, Subsection 2b, of the amended and restated Public Procurement and Concession Act of 2010,” the Ministry’s statement read. “This section allows for negotiation of contract prices when the lowest evaluated bid exceeds the budget by a substantial margin.”
The Ministry also cited Section 35, Subsections 2 and 3, of the PPCC Act regulations, which support price negotiation to align with the proposed budget, ensuring the contract’s acceptability to both parties.
Assistant Director for External Communications, Mohammed M. Kwenah, emphasized that the allegations are unfounded and represent a smear campaign. “The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and adherence to the laws of the Republic of Liberia,” he stated. “We see these accusations as a refusal by the proponents to seek the facts.”
In defense of the Ministry’s integrity, Kwenah reiterated, “The contractual agreement with RoviaGate Technology, LLC was handled with utmost transparency. The Ministry will continue to operate within the framework of the law and maintain fiscal probity in all its dealings.”
The Ministry’s stance has been supported by several financial experts. One such expert, James Doe, commented, “The procedural adherence by the Ministry showcases its commitment to fiscal responsibility. The options provided and the chosen bid were clearly aligned with the urgency and the need for efficient budget management.”
