The Government of Liberia reportedly negotiated with the Sany Group of China and the Guma Group of South Africa to trade billions in local mining resources for 500 pieces of earth-moving equipment.
This deal, which has stirred significant public and political backlash, was orchestrated by a government team including Minister of State without Portfolio, Mamaka Bility, under the administration of President Joseph Boakai.
The initial reports suggested that the 285 equipment, valued at approximately $30 million, part of the 500 pieces of equipment was intended to support low-cost road construction and maintenance throughout Liberia.
However, this arrangement has faced scrutiny due to its opaque nature and potential implications for the country’s mineral wealth.
“They offered 500 pieces of equipment in exchange for over a billion dollar in local mining contracts.” a verified source reportedly told Oracle News Daily.
“The deal was a very bad deal,” the verified source said on condition not to be named due to potential impact on confidential nature of employment.
The source indicated that President Joseph Boakai intervened, rejecting the deal in a recent cabinet meeting amidst mounting controversy.
Report from Oracle News Daily has it that President halted the agreement in an emergency cabinet meeting, addressing concerns over the lack of transparency and the potential surrender of significant mining assets. President Boakai criticized the involved officials, indicating a sense of misconduct and mismanagement within the proposed arrangement.
During a cabinet meeting, Minister Mamaka Bility announced the acquisition of 285 pieces of earth-moving machinery without providing detailed information on the agreement’s specifics.
This announcement has been met with skepticism and concern from various government officials and lawmakers.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah has however clarified that no formal decision had been made regarding the acquisition. He emphasized that the briefing was preliminary and no final agreement had been reached. Minister Piah urged the public to await a comprehensive and lawful resolution.
The deal’s critics highlighted severe governance issues, questioning the transparency and legality of the arrangement. President Boakai, aware of these concerns, asserted that no agreement involving the Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County or other significant mining assets had been finalized or disclosed to the public.
The premature announcement by Minister Bility led to increased scrutiny and dissatisfaction from both the President and the public.
Key figures in this controversial deal included Xu Ming, Senior Vice President of Sany Group, and Robert Gumede, Chairman of the Guma Group.
In a video released by Bility, Gumede emphasized the partnership’s goal to connect Liberia with China and South Africa, further complicating the perception of foreign influence over Liberia’s natural resources.
The Liberia Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees prohibits bribes and tokens of such scale and magnitude. This raised further concerns regarding the legality and ethicality of the proposed deal. Gumede, known as the ‘Black Knight of Africa’ for his extensive business ties in Liberia, and his involvement in the deal intensified these concerns.
As Liberia navigates this complex situation, the focus remains on ensuring transparency, legality, and the protection of the country’s valuable mineral resources.
President Boakai’s decisive reported intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and upholding ethical standards in governmental dealings.
The ultimate resolution of this issue will likely have lasting implications for Liberia’s governance and its relationships with international business partners.
Source: Oracle News Daily
