The Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed a whopping U$466K service-based contract with the Agency for Rural Development and Maintenance Services (ARDEMS) Inc., a local construction firm, raising questions about transparency in government procurement.
Internal Affairs Minister Francis Sakila Nyumalin executed the agreement on January 23, 2025. ARDEMS Inc., represented by its General Manager, Philip Fatormah, has been authorized to renovate the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The contract has sparked public interest and outrage.
ARDEMS Inc., represented by its General Manager, Philip Fatormah, has been authorized to undertake construction projects across Liberia. The contract has sparked interest due to the company’s shareholding structure, which lists Fallab Moses as the majority shareholder with 30%, followed by David Mulbah and Fayia Bensimine each holding 25%, while Cyrus Varney and Esther Jallah control 10% each.
Critics have raised concerns over the selection process and whether the contract aligns with Liberia’s procurement laws. The agreement grants ARDEMS the authority to execute rural development and maintenance projects, but specific details regarding the work’s scope, cost, and timeline remain unclear.
Government watchdogs and civil society organizations have called for greater scrutiny, questioning whether due diligence was conducted before awarding the contract. Transparency advocates argue that the involvement of high-ranking government officials in the signing process requires closer examination to ensure accountability.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has yet to provide a clear justification for selecting ARDEMS Inc. over other potential bidders. It is also unclear whether the contract was subjected to competitive bidding or if it was awarded through a sole-source arrangement, which could violate Liberia’s Public Procurement and Concessions Act.
The timing of the agreement has also raised eyebrows, as Liberia faces mounting infrastructure challenges, with many rural areas in dire need of proper road networks, bridges, and essential services. Questions remain about whether ARDEMS has the technical capacity and financial resources to deliver on its contractual obligations.
In recent years, Liberia has struggled with issues of contract mismanagement and allegations of corruption in government projects. The ARDEMS agreement has reignited debates about allocating public funds and whether contracts are awarded based on merit or political influence.
