Monrovia — Workers of the Ministry of Commerce and Business are demanding full transparency and accountability after elevating critical issues over the Ministry’s latest procurement of a employees bus and motorbikes.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Employees say the purchases don’t replicate what was initially promised and consider the discrepancies level to deeper issues throughout the Ministry’s administrative and monetary operations.
The issues date again to June 17, 2025, when the Minister of Commerce reportedly knowledgeable employees throughout a normal assembly that the Ministry had procured a 30-seater Toyota Coaster bus valued at US$65,000.
Workers have been advised the bus can be delivered by August. Nonetheless, months later, no bus arrived. As a substitute, employees have been proven photos of a Chinese language BLK bus that employees insist is considerably cheaper than the Toyota Coaster initially introduced. Market checks by a number of employees members positioned the worth of the BLK bus at not more than US$30,000, leaving workers questioning why they have been advised in any other case.
One pissed off worker, talking anonymously, mentioned the discrepancy was not possible to disregard. The worker mentioned the Ministry can’t declare transparency when its guarantees don’t match the proof introduced. One other employees member mentioned the state of affairs has created mistrust throughout the Ministry and added that the associated fee offered by the administration doesn’t replicate the truth of the market.
A 3rd worker dismissed the Ministry’s clarification as deceptive. This employees member said that workers know the distinction between a Toyota Coaster and a BLK bus and have been shocked when the images introduced didn’t match what the Minister had promised. A fourth worker mentioned the incident embarrassed the Ministry, including that the establishment liable for monitoring enterprise requirements can’t afford to be related to questionable procurement practices.
The difficulty escalated additional when motorbikes supposed for county and regional inspectors have been delivered. Employees say they have been advised the Ministry had bought sturdy motorbikes value US$1,700 every, however the ones acquired have been customary TVS fashions identified to value round US$850 or much less in Liberia. A fifth worker questioned how such a major value hole may very well be justified, saying the employees seen it as a sign that the Ministry had failed to make sure worth for cash. A sixth worker mentioned morale had dropped sharply as a result of employees consider they’re being misled and that their issues are usually not being taken significantly by the administration.
The Commerce Ministry Employees Affiliation has formally communicated these issues to the Ministry’s management. Of their letter, the affiliation said that employees reject the BLK bus and need the Ministry to return the TVS motorbikes to the seller. Additionally they known as on the Basic Companies Company to conduct an in depth overview of the procurement course of and urged the administration to rethink its dealings with the provider, citing a rising insecurity amongst workers.
The Employees Affiliation additionally highlighted wider administrative points, together with the unresolved emptiness within the HR division. For the reason that resignation of the HR Director, no performing appointment has been formally introduced. Workers say they have no idea who’s liable for HR issues, creating confusion for employees looking for help. Additionally they expressed disappointment that the Ministry’s Welfare Committee was excluded from the insurance coverage bidding course of, leaving employees uninformed concerning the present insurance coverage association and unclear about what advantages they’re entitled to.
These issues floor at a time when the Minister is already beneath public scrutiny for authorizing US$429,029 in renovation work on the Monrovia Industrial Park. The authorization reportedly proceeded with out approval from the Minister of Finance, regardless of necessities beneath the Public Monetary Administration Legislation. Employees say this choice has heightened their concern concerning the Minister’s strategy to monetary administration and compliance.
Employees have additionally accused the Minister of constructing unilateral personnel selections that violate civil service pointers. They allege that she appointed her private guide as Appearing HR Director with out the approval of the Civil Service Company and that she eliminated a civil servant from the headship of the Industrial Property Division and changed him with a relative who will not be a civil servant. Employees say these actions have contributed to an surroundings marked by intimidation and concern.
One worker described the office as more and more hostile, saying many employees really feel threatened and unsafe expressing their issues. In keeping with workers, the Minister has additionally been boasting about her affect inside authorities and her shut ties to the President, which they consider has emboldened her to ignore established procedures.
When contacted by FrontPageAfrica for touch upon the allegations, the Minister declined to reply, claiming the media outlet looking for clarification was making an attempt to break her popularity.
