By Festus Poquie
President Joseph Boakai is under intense scrutiny following the public display of a $1.1 million upgrade to his motorcade, which includes a fleet of luxurious vehicles, including the newly acquired 2025 Lexus LX 700HR Super Ultra Luxury SUV.
This move has drawn sharp criticism from the public and former allies, who claim it contradicts his earlier statements of humility and commitment to addressing poverty in the nation.
Since taking office in January 2024, Boakai, an experienced politician with over five decades in government, positioned himself as a leader dedicated to rescuing Liberia from its struggles with corruption and economic hardship.
Having served under William Tolbert as head of the Liberia Produce Marketing Corporation (LPMC), Samuel Doe as agriculture minister, Amos Sawyer as head of the Petroleum Refinery Corporation and Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as vice president – Boakai lured the voters with promises to fix the problems in the government and depart from business as usual.
However, the recent decision to prioritize world’s state-of-art chain of vehicles contradicts this narrative, prompting backlash from citizens who feel his actions betray his promises.
During an instance in October 2024, Boakai publicly chastised a government official for purchasing a luxury vehicle, stating, “I can ride a wheelbarrow to go to the mansion, but this country we must build it ourselves.”
He would later accept the resignation of Amin Modad, the former Minister of Commerce & Industry describing his handling of public fund that led to his exit as insensitive.
Modad resigned following concerns regarding the recent procurement of a vehicle that significantly exceeded the government’s estimated cost for ministerial transportation.
The President noted that while Mr. Modad has contributed to the development of the Ministry during his tenure, the decision to make such a purchase at this time reflected poor judgment and a lack of sensitivity to the current economic environment in the country.
His remarks then resonated with citizens who grapple with widespread unemployment and insufficient public services, making his subsequent motorcade upgrade all the more contentious.
Critics, including members of his own former campaign team, are vocal in their disapproval. Martin Kollie, a prominent figure in Boakai’s campaign, condemned the president’s luxury vehicle purchases amidst dire economic conditions, stating, “President Boakai is flaunting Luxury while tens of thousands of public school teachers, health workers, security personnel, and civil servants in general remain largely underpaid and unpaid.”
A review of government expenditures, just eight months after assuming state power, reveals that Boakai’s administration has engaged in significant spending beyond the allocated budget, totaling approximately $2.3 million.
This figure includes the exorbitant motorcade upgrade, new hires at the Executive Mansion, and recurrent expenses, raising questions about financial prioritization when basic services remain lacking.
Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability, remarked on the discrepancy between Boakai’s words and actions.
He stated, “A leader should aim for his security to come from the people and not the number of expensive and highly-protected cars purchased or the number of assigned security details.”
Miamen further emphasized the need for accountability and moderation in a country where many citizens strive to make ends meet.
The backlash has culminated in calls for transparency regarding the $1.1 million spent off-budget on luxury vehicles for the president and vice president in 2024 and the current. Critics are invoking the Freedom of Information Law to demand the release of financial records pertaining to these purchases.
