The Executive Director of the leading anti-corruption civil society organization in Liberia, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), is calling on the Ombudsman and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to investigate Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban after he donated 150 motorbikes to chiefs and elders of Nimba County.
The estimated value of the donation is around US$120,000 even though Minister Tingban receives a monthly salary of below US$5,000 after deductibles, which suggests that 150 motorbikes cost more than the 2 years salaries of Minister Tingban. Did he sacrifice his salaries for more than 2 years to buy and donate 150 motorbikes? Where is the money coming from?
CENTAL Boss Anderson Miamen writes 
“Well, if this information being provided by Journalist Nyantee Genero Samuel Togba of OK FM, which was originally published by one Matthew Konah on his Facebook page is True, that the minister of Mines and Energy has donated a combined total of 150 pieces of motorbikes to chiefs and elders of Nimba County, then it needs investigation to establish the source of the financing.
Put the price of each brand-new Motorbike at 700 USD maximum (which should be less than the actual price), that is 105,000 USD for the reported 150 pieces of Motorbikes. When put at 800 USD for each Bike, that is 120,000 USD for the indicated 150 motorbikes.
Where did he get such money from? From his salary? From his friends? Or other sources?
What has been his donation history, prior to being appointed as the minister of mines and energy? What assets, incomes and liabilities did he declare with LACC, before taking over that position?
The Office of the Ombudsman needs to investigate this, in collaboration with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission. The public deserves to know the source (s) of funding for these donations, for the Code of Conduct and other laws provide for what public officials can and cannot do.”
