The Unity Party (UP) has called on one of its partisans, Amin Modad, to clear his name, stating that the Party will not support any corrupt government official.
The ruling Unity Party wants the Commerce Minister to go to any length to clear his name from the controversial and potentially corrupt purchase of a luxury vehicle to be used by the Minister costing over US$100,000.
According to an official release from the Liberia Revenue Authority, the vehicle was purchased following a request from the Ministry of Commerce for the Destination Inspection Program at the Freeport.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, September 24, UP National Chairman Luther Tarpeh stated that while the Party is not accusing Minister Modad of corruption, neither is it defending him; he should present all relevant documents to exonerate himself. Rev. Tarpeh reminded Minister Modad and all government officials that the Unity Party will not stand with anyone found guilty of corruption.
Since this controversy arose, the Commerce Minister has been under intense pressure. Opposition lawmakers, including other national stakeholders, have frowned upon the allegations. Recently, Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill called for a swift investigation into the allegations of corruption involving Commerce Minister Amin Modad.
On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Senator McGill submitted a formal communication to the Senate Plenary, urging the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to launch an immediate investigation into the allegations involving the Minister of Commerce.
The Margibi Senator wants the investigation to determine how the minister, who served as a board member, allegedly failed to settle a debt of US$400,000 owed to the former FIB (now SIB), which contributed to the bank’s bankruptcy, yet was able to acquire a yacht comparable in cost to one purchased by former President Tubman.
Senator Nathaniel McGill demands that the investigation must address the Liberia Revenue Authority’s (LRA) alleged unauthorized purchase of a vehicle for the Minister of Commerce, as the LRA, being a revenue collection agency, has no mandate to buy vehicles for any government official.
