Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has raised concerns about an allegation of conflict of interest and corruption emanating from the Liberian Legislature.
Naymote recalled that few days ago, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon raised concerns about construction companies that have been contracted to construct roads being owned and operated by some sitting lawmakers including Representatives Edward W. Karfiah, Chair, Public Account and Expenditure Committee; Rep. Thomas P. Fallah, Chair, Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning Committee and Sen. Saah H. Joseph, Chair, Executive; Member, Ways Means, Finance & Budget; Health, etc.
According to the Montserrado County Senator Dillon, because of lawmakers’ involvement with these construction companies, many of them are reneging on their responsibilities with nothing being done to hold them accountable after allocating and collecting funds from the Government of Liberia to construct these roads.
A statement quoting and signed by Naymote Executive Director, Mr. Eddie D. Jarwolo, believes these are serious allegations and has called on the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives to launch an investigation in the allegations immediately as it is about accountability, integrity of the legislature, and also undermine the national development agenda of the country.
Naymote said the institution is also calling for an investigation by the President of Liberia, George M. Weah on the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), and the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) of the Republic of Liberia to understand how these contracts were awarded, what due diligence took place, and why no action is being taken on these construction companies who are neglecting to carry on, and or complete projects they collected funds for. While citizens are finding it difficult to travel especially to the southeast region, some members of the legislature are allocating funds in the national budget for road construction they collect and later neglect the project.
“If these allegations are true, then U.S. Ambassador, Michael McCarthy was right when he said citizens in rural Liberia are treated with a neglect that borders on contempt. Is this the best that Liberia can do?”, said Naymote.
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development continues, “Elected officials who should be working for the people, representing, making laws and providing oversight are the same people undermining the development agenda of the country, involved in conflict of interest, corruption through budgetary allocation and neglect.
“When road construction, especially in the Southeast region, is a challenge, and companies owned by some lawmakers are involved with stalling the progress of these construction projects, they are undermining national development.”
