Capitol Hill, Monrovia – May 29, 2024 (The Saharaa) – In a controversial move, the Liberian Senate has pardoned Public Works Minister Roland Giddings and several high-ranking officials for their involvement in the improper and mismanagement of US$22.4 million in road contracts. The decision to excuse this serious breach of procurement protocol has sparked outrage and raised concerns about governance and accountability under President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
The Senate’s plenary session, influenced by a recommendation from its Joint Committee on Public Works and Rural Development, Public Accounts and Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims, and Petitions, deemed the unauthorized contracts as an “inadvertent misstep.” This lenient interpretation followed the ministers’ collective apology and justification that their actions, although improper, were taken with good intentions in the national interest.
On March 18, 2024, Senators Nathaniel F. McGill, Simeon B. Taylor, Gbehzongar M. Findley, and Abe Darious Dillon formally complained to the Senate plenary about the Ministry of Public Works awarding ten contracts without adhering to the necessary procurement processes or obtaining legislative approval. Despite this, the Senate’s plenary, after deliberation, opted to issue only a warning letter to the implicated officials, stressing that any recurrence would result in direct consequences.
Critics argue that this decision undermines the principles of transparency and accountability. Awarding contracts without proper procedures not only violates legislative protocols but also raises suspicions of corruption and favoritism. The failure to impose stringent penalties sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that high-ranking officials can bypass legal requirements with minimal repercussions.
To mitigate the fallout, the Senate mandated Minister Giddings to provide quarterly updates on road maintenance and progress, present an annual work plan for all fifteen counties, and address issues related to double contracts and budgetary allocations. However, many see these measures as insufficient to address the gravity of the situation.
The leniency shown to Minister Giddings and his colleagues has provoked widespread criticism from civil society and anti-corruption advocates, who view the Senate’s actions as a severe misstep in upholding the rule of law. This incident raises critical questions about the integrity of President Boakai’s administration and its commitment to good governance.
As Liberia continues to grapple with developmental challenges, the need for strict adherence to procurement laws and legislative oversight is paramount. The Senate’s decision to pardon high-ranking officials for such a significant breach could erode public trust and hinder efforts to promote transparency and accountability in government operations.
Senate Full Press Release
The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has pardoned Public Works Minister , Roland Giddings and others on the execution of a 22.4 million road work without following the proper procurement process.
Plenary action was necessitated by a recommendation from its Joint committee on public works and rural development, Public Accounts and Judiciary, Human Rights, claims and Petitions to pardon and accept as “Inadvertent Misstep”, the actions of the Works Minister.
The recommendation read in session on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 states that the apology of the Minister of Public works and Rural Development on behalf of him and the Ministers of Justice, finance and the Executive Director of PPCC that Plenary considers their actions as “inadvertent miss-Step” but with good intentions in national interest with a warning letter to each of them that a repeat of their actions would carry direct consequences.
It can be recalled in a letter to Senate plenary dated March 18, 2024, Senators; Nathaniel F. McGill, Simeon B. Taylor, Gbehzongar M. Findley and Abe Darious Dillion complained the Ministry of Public Works and Rural Development awarded (10) contracts worth 22.4 Million United States Dollars without a proper procurement process and without obtaining a relevant legislative approval.
Meanwhile, the committee has also mandated the Minister of Public Works to make quarterly reports on the progress of road maintenance and works, present a road annual work plan considering all fifteen counties before the submission of the draft fiscal budget to the Senate.
At the same time, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its Secretary of Senate to cite the Minister of Public works to give status report on road projects and give answers to all inquiries raised by plenary issues including and not limited to what the Senate calls double contracts to contractors.
In a debate on Tuesday, Plenary also reached a decision to accept the apology made by the minister of Public Works with conditions that the minister addresses concerns as it relates to the re- awarding of contracts to already existing contractors and budgetary allotment for roads already done by companies among others.
