Boniface D. Satu, the former head of the National Road Fund, has provided a detailed analysis regarding financing the yellow machine acquisition under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration. In a statement issued on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Satu suggested that the purchase could be financed through the National Road Fund, as outlined by the National Road Act of December 2016.
Satu explained that the payment for the yellow machines could be annualized and spread over several years, categorizing it not as a loan but as an equipment expenditure for road maintenance programs. These programs include rehabilitation, periodic, and routine maintenance activities, all incorporated into the Annual Road Maintenance Expenditure Program (ARMEP) approved by the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee (IMSC).
According to the National Road Fund Act, the fund is authorized to allocate money for routine and periodic road maintenance, emergency works, and the costs associated with the operation of the Road Fund Office. Satu pointed out that there would be no need for ratification from the National Legislature for this expenditure, as the procedure aligns with the act’s provisions, including its rules for managing the allocation of funds for road maintenance.
Drawing from previous experiences, Satu referenced the example of the Ganta-Tappitta road corridor under the World Bank-financed SECRAMP (PPP) project, which required the National Road Fund to contribute $8 million annually over several years, even though the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized that the fund’s structure had already been tested in such circumstances and that the acquisition of yellow machines could follow a similar model.
According to Satu, the National Road Fund Act’s provisions allow the Fund’s resources to be used for road rehabilitation and improvement works, including paving roads, as long as they serve strategic socio-economic purposes. The funds are also structured to ensure that loans for such works are paid back, with maintenance obligations for at least five years.
Satu’s analysis will likely contribute to ongoing discussions on how the government can effectively manage and fund such a large-scale purchase, ensuring that the acquisition aligns with Liberia’s long-term infrastructure goals. By utilizing the National Road Fund for the yellow machines, the government could streamline the funding process while remaining compliant with established laws and regulations.
