Minister Accused of Awarding Dubious Contracts for Kickbacks

Liberia’s Public Works Minister, Roland Layfette Giddings, remains tight-lipped on alleged corruption fraud at the Ministry of Public Works, accusing the Liberian government of awarding bogus multi-million dollar contracts to construction companies to receive kickbacks. These actions are purportedly part of efforts to fast-track President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s 100-day deliverables.

According to reports, the Ministry has awarded bogus contracts worth approximately USD 20 million for road rehabilitation without following the proper procurement process through the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC). Minister Giddings’ alleged involvement in these unscrupulous deals is said to be for kickbacks and to expedite the President’s achievements.

Minister Giddings is accused  of awarding CHICO Construction Company over eight million dollars in road contracts, including a $3,999,000 contract for the construction of the Salayea to Voinjama road, a $3,200,000 contract for the Tapitta to Zwedru road, and a $2,434,700 contract for the Zwedru to Fish Town road.

CHICO, a Chinese-owned company, has also allegedly been granted contracts for the Buchanan to ITI road.

Other beneficiaries of these dubious contracts include SSF Entrepreneur Liberia, allegedly awarded four contracts totaling over eight million dollars, including the Voinjama to Foya Road, the Foya to Mendikorma road, the Barclayville to Pleebo road, and the ITI to Greenville road.

Minister Giddings, when contacted by the New Democrat Newspaper via mobile phone, stated that the Ministry would respond to the allegations at an appropriate time. Efforts to contact the companies involved in the kickback deals were unsuccessful.

Additional contracts allegedly awarded are for the Brewervilles to Gboaoe road to BK ENTERPRISE and the Gboaoe Town to Gbarpolu County road to GEOSKOPE Company. These contracts were reportedly awarded without following PPCC procedures or the required bidding process, raising concerns of corruption and kickbacks.

Investigation continues.