Monrovia – Amin Modad, Liberia’s Minister of Commerce, has resigned following scrutiny over his recent acquisition of a luxury SUV. Sources indicate that Modad bid farewell to his staff on Wednesday morning as criticisms intensified regarding the purchase of a vehicle valued at over US$90,000.
The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that Modad had approved the purchase of this luxury SUV for official use, funded by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) from its Customs Capacity Building Fund. The vehicle, meant for trade-related activities, became a point of contention when Senator Nathaniel F. McGill accused Modad of misusing his office for personal gain, alleging that the minister was using public resources to fund luxuries, including the SUV and possibly a yacht.
These allegations have been compounded by concerns surrounding Modad’s association with Medtech Scientific, a container tracking and inspection company operating at the Freeport of Monrovia. The firm has been implicated in exploitative practices, with accusations suggesting that the SUV purchase was a kickback related to Modad’s dealings. In response, the Liberian Senate has initiated a review of Medtech’s contract, citing compliance issues and undisclosed financial arrangements.
In a press briefing last Thursday at the Ministry of Information, Modad defended both his tenure and the vehicle purchase, asserting that it was approved solely for official purposes. He referenced a statement from the LRA confirming the allocation of US$96,000 for the Ministry of Commerce to purchase vehicles strictly for trade-related use. “These vehicles are intended for trade-related activities in collaboration with Customs. The specifications of the vehicles, as well as their deployment within MOCI, are determined by the MOCI, not the LRA,” the LRA clarified in its press release.
During the briefing, Modad also highlighted several achievements during his tenure, including efforts to streamline the Business Registry and enhance Liberia’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. He spoke of reforms implemented to address systemic inefficiencies and foster a “vibrant economic renaissance.” Key accomplishments mentioned included the near completion of renovations at the Business Registry, which feature solar power integration and plans for full digitization. These initiatives, he asserted, have significantly reduced business registration times and aimed to improve operational transparency while combating corruption.
