Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Director General Dorbor Jallah appeared before the Senate to defend his agency’s controversial decision to purchase a luxury vehicle worth $100,000 for former Commerce Minister Amin Modad. He challenged what he described as inconsistent standards in government procurement scrutiny.
Jallah addressed the Senate’s concerns, questioning, “What did my predecessors do right that I did wrong by purchasing a vehicle for the Ministry of Commerce?”
He argued that previous administrations had made similar purchases without sparking public controversy, implying that selective criticism had been directed toward his actions. Jallah suggested that his administration was unfairly targeted and stated that the acquisition followed procedural guidelines to support the Ministry’s operational needs.
Although Modad attended the session, he did not have the opportunity to speak as the hearing was postponed until Tuesday. Thus, his response to Jallah’s defense is pending.
While defending the vehicle purchase, Jallah used the hearing to update the Senate on other recent LRA achievements. He cited the acquisition of the agency’s first set of Starlink satellite terminals, which aim to strengthen connectivity across revenue operations.
He also highlighted an increase in the LRA’s capacity-building Budget, which reached $53 million as of September 30, 2024. This significant investment is intended to enhance the agency’s efficiency in revenue generation and staff training.
The Senate has called for further documentation of the acquisition process, expressing concerns about allocating resources at a time when many Liberians expect public funds to prioritize essential services and infrastructure.
The committee is expected to assess the procurement process behind the $100,000 vehicle and the broader spending practices of government agencies to ensure that national resources are used responsibly.
As the hearing continues, Jallah’s remarks raise questions about procurement consistency and transparency within Liberia’s government, pointing to the need for clear and standardized protocols that apply to all government agencies.
The Senate’s final decision could influence how future high-cost government purchases are evaluated and approved, setting a potential precedent for more rigorous oversight of public spending.
