Corruption allegations against legislature worrying, says Naymote

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Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has raised concerns over an allegation of conflict of interest and corruption emanating from the Liberian legislature.

Naymote recalled that a few days ago, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon raised concerns about construction companies that have been contracted to build roads owned and operated by some sitting lawmakers, including Rep.

Edward W. Karfiah, Chairman, Public Accounts and Expenditures Committee; Representative Thomas P. Fallah, Chairman, Ways, Means, Finance, and Development Planning Committee and Senator Saah H. Joseph, Chairman, Executive; Member, Ways Means, Finance & Budget; Health, etc.

According to Senator Dillon of Montserrado County, due to the involvement of lawmakers in these construction companies, many of them abdicate their responsibilities and nothing is done to hold them accountable after they allocate and raise funds from of the Liberian government to build these roads.

A statement quoting and signed by the Executive Director of Naymote, Mr. Eddie D. Jarwolo, considers these to be serious allegations and called on the pro-tempore Speaker of the Liberian Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to immediately launch an investigation into the allegations. because it is about accountability, integrity of the legislature, and also about undermining the national development agenda of the country.

Naymote said the institution is also requesting an investigation by the President of Liberia, George M. Weah of the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), and the Public Procurement Concessions Commission (PPCC) of the Republic of Liberia for understand how these contracts were awarded, what due diligence took place and why no action is taken against these construction companies who fail to continue or complete the projects for which they have raised funds. As citizens find it difficult to get around, especially in the southeastern region, some members of the legislature allocate funds in the national budget for road construction which they collect and later neglect the project.

“If these allegations are true, then US Ambassador Michael McCarthy was correct when he said that the citizens of rural Liberia are treated with negligence that borders on contempt. Is it better than Liberia can do?” Naymote said.

Naymote Partners for Democratic Development continues: “Elected officials who should work for the people, represent, legislate and provide oversight are the same people who undermine the country’s development agenda, are embroiled in conflicts of interest, corruption by budgetary allocation and negligence.

“When road construction, especially in the South East region, is a challenge and companies owned by certain legislators are involved in blocking the progress of these construction projects, they undermine national development.”

“These same lawmakers, according to its executive director, are running for public office when they are allegedly involved in corruption and the mismanagement of public funds, they have compromised their powers to exercise control over public property to ensure accountability and value for money of the executive due to conflicts of interest and corruption This runs counter to the principles of good democratic governance which speak of transparency and political accountability in any democratic environment.

Naymote added, “The issue of roads in Liberia, especially during the rainy season, is a major challenge for millions of Liberians across the country and it requires a very strong legislature to perform its oversight function so that the executive and contractors meet their obligations.”

Naymote noted that having companies owned and operated by legislators win government contracts is a complete conflict of interest and a violation of our laws. Any legislator or group of legislators whose hands are caught in such an act shall be dealt with in accordance with the laws of Liberia.

Naymote also wants to use this medium to warn the PPCC to exercise due diligence before awarding contracts to companies. It is an act of corruption for people/companies to be awarded contracts based on their proximity to prominent figures in the executive, legislative or even the judiciary. The awarding of contracts must be done with great fairness and transparency taking into account the company’s capacity and history of effective delivery.

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