By Festus Poquie
Could it be the Chinese businessman whose billionaire namesake linked to corruption scandals died in prison nearly a decade ago that is striking multimillion deal with the President for more than 200 ‘yellow machines’? For what?
Nothing is clear. Nothing is known and nothing is sure.
Inconsistency, doubts and secrecy cloud President Joseph Boakai’s plan to address Liberia’s road infrastructure deficit.
The country’s road network is greatly underdeveloped and among the least developed in West Africa. With a total area of 111,370 km² and a road system with a total length of 10,600 km, only 657 km are paved while 9,943 km are unpaved. There is major deterioration on all highways due to heavy rains and lack of maintenance.
This makes it appealing, when the President made it a policy priority to make all parts of the country accessible and passible by road.
Yet, ever since in May the administration started a process for procuring and importing large consignment of earth moving equipment nothing has come through but a flawed tile of mystery and uncertainty.
From one government minister to the other, the story about the so-called 280 yellow machines is told in a way that does not connect.
On May 24, Mamaka Bility, the Minister of State Without Portfolio announced in cabinet that the government has acquired 285 pieces of earth moving machines to bolster low cost road construction and maintenance.
On May 28 with inquiries made about procurement and other financial compliance issues, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah told reporters in the capital Monrovia there has been no agreement reached with any organization or individual regarding large scale acquisition of road construction and maintenance equipment.
“Government did not decide and has not made a decision on the earth-moving equipment,” he said.
“There was only a video that came out unveiling the vehicles that the government is looking at but has not decided to have yellow machines, and once it is concluded, that will be announced.”
On July 6, Mamaka, again took delivery of several pieces of the equipment and paraded it through the streets of Monrovia. This prompted new set of questions: has the government completed the procurement process in accordance with law? What is the cost? Where is the agreement? Who authorized? Who paid?
With no answer coming forthright and legislators gearing up for public inquiry, the President of the Republic stepped in, telling lawmakers “no formal agreement or contract has been signed with any party.”
“Let me assure you members of the Legislature that we are scrupulously pursuing the acquisition process for these machines guided by the principle of transparency and good faith.
“The initiative originated from a conversation between me and a long-time friend who shares a commitment with the ARREST Agenda. This Friend was moved by the spirit of solidarity and a strong desire to participate in the implementation of our development agenda. He offered to provide equipment in good faith and on a gentlemen agreement.”
Who’s the President’s friend? Gumede? XU MING? Who?
In Mamaka’s May presentation to cabinet, Xu Ming, Senior Vice president of Chinese company – Sany Group and Robert Gumede, Chairman of South Africa based Guma Group were unveiled as people at the heart of the controversial charity.
In a video released by Ms. Bility, Gumede said through the partnership, the companies were connecting Liberia with China and South Africa.
Known as the ‘Black Knight of Africa’ Gumede has running business ties in Liberia.
In February US firm HPX signed a letter of intent with the Liberian government promising to finance a multibillion-dollar “Liberty Corridor” along with Guma Group. Under the plan, HPX and Guma would build an entirely new railway from northern Liberia to a modern deepwater port on the coast.
The ceremony announcing the project, which would cost an estimated $3 billion to $5 billion, was attended by Boakai, Freidland, and the South African billionaire Robert Gumede.
For Xu Ming, not much is known about him except that he’s Senior Vice President of Sany Group, a Chinese multinational heavy equipment manufacturing company. But there’s a Mystery link.
He shares the same name with a Chinese billionaire who died in prison in December 2015. The Oracle News Daily does not have sufficient information to verified if Xu Ming has direct link or business relationship with the deceased Xu Ming
