Former Montserrado County District 8 Representative Acarous M. Gray has sharply criticized government officials for celebrating the arrival of heavy earth-moving equipment-commonly referred to as “yellow machines”-amid what he describes as worsening economic hardship facing ordinary Liberians.
In a statement released on social media, Gray argued that the government’s public display of enthusiasm over the equipment reflects misplaced priorities at a time when many citizens are grappling with hunger, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and education.
“Have you noticed that the officials are celebrating more than the masses out there? If this doesn’t say something is wrong, then these officials are insensitive to their surroundings,” Gray said.
The former lawmaker claimed that the silence of struggling citizens speaks to what he termed the country’s “bread and butter issue,” suggesting that economic concerns remain paramount for voters.
“For these officials to even equip the coming of yellow machines to the 2029 Presidential Election shows how desperate they are to maintain power but not to address the hunger, health and educational concerns of the voters,” he said.
Government officials have described the acquisition of heavy-duty equipment as part of ongoing infrastructure and development efforts, including road rehabilitation and public works projects.
However, Gray dismissed the celebrations as premature and indicative of what he called “mediocre performance.”
“Just the fact that officials of government are celebrating the arrival of yellow machines demonstrates the mediocrity performance of the administration. A group of underachievers that will celebrate little over greatness has the tendency to keep the country in abject poverty and turmoil,” he noted.
Gray further suggested that public frustration may eventually manifest at the ballot box, warning of what he described as a potential “national retirement” for the ruling establishment in the next electoral cycle.
Quoting what he characterized as the sentiments of market women and struggling families, Gray said: “Da Yellow Machines will put bread and butter on the table? Da Yellow Machines will send our children to school or send us to hospital? So they brought Yellow Machines to break down our homes and made us homeless?”
He challenged members of the media to engage directly with ordinary citizens to assess public opinion on the issue.
The government has not yet formally responded to Gray’s remarks.
