ADNews-Monrovia: The Superintendent of the Monrovia Consolidated School System (MCSS) has reportedly been involved in clandestine deals awarding two separate contracts amounting to over US $1.6M for procuring Corrugated armchairs and Laboratory Equipment unilaterally without going through the Public Procurement and Concessions (PPCC) and Public Financial Management (PFM) Regulations.
The contracts awarded to two separate businesses seek to procure 22,000 armchairs worth US1,210,000.00 and laboratory equipment worth US451,5000.00 from China by Ma Mus Group of Investment and Kpeinja Group of Companies Limited, respectively. The contracts that have no trace to the MCSS’s Procurement Department and PPCC Authority were since awarded and consignments have begun arriving in the country. One will wonder as to how such amounts of money can be spent outside of established laws and regulations “such as the PPCC and PFM Act.”
Accordingly, the Superintendent and his handpicked Procurement Director, who is not even an employee of the Government of Liberia, Mr. Richardson Kromah signed those contracts and received huge kickbacks.
One of the most troubling aspects of the deal is the alleged kickback scheme that accompanied the contracts. Sources claim that Superintendent Momoh and Mr. Kromah pocketed significant sums from these deals. For the laboratory equipment contract, the duo reportedly received US $25,000, while for the armchair contract, they are expected to receive about US $200,000. The kickback arrangement, according to insiders, involves a “gentleman’s agreement” with Ma Mus Investment, wherein they will receive US $65 for each chair, while Momoh and Kromah pocket US $10 per chair.
The scandal appears to involve individuals with close ties to high-ranking figures in Liberian politics. One of the names linked to the scheme is William Kpardeyea, a man believed to be a close ally of President Joseph N. Boakai. Kpardeyea, who is reportedly eyeing the position of Managing Director at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), is said to have used his political influence to steer the lucrative contract to Ma Mus Group, a company with whom he shares a strong personal relationship.
A source familiar with the matter said, “A man who wants to serve as Managing Director for LEC is already engaged in massive corruption, making behind-the-scenes deals to benefit his own business. Imagine what would happen if he becomes LEC Managing Director.”
When contacted the MCSS Superintendent and Kpeinja Group of Companies Limited head, Folley Kpeinja on Phone numbers, 0772609177 and 0886631557 through messages and calls for comments respectively, they failed to respond to messages sent and when called to follow up, they declined the calls.
As for Musa who was also messaged on phone number 0778279142 followed by a call, she responded to the call and said, “You texted me I didn’t respond and you calling me? Don’t ever call me again, report what you have”.
Meanwhile, an email was sent to Kpardeyea at the email address wkpadehyea@aol.com for comment but yet to respond.
As the investigation deepens into these massive corruption allegations, the public remains concerned about the widespread corruption allegedly infiltrating government institutions as President Boakai campaigned to power on the basis of eradicating corruption.
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