President Joseph Boakai has formally established the Yellow Machines Board of Authority (YMBOA), appointing former Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai as Executive Chairperson of its Coordinating Committee.
The move comes ahead of the anticipated arrival of the first shipment of 285 heavy-duty “yellow machines” procured from China to spearhead Liberia’s road and infrastructure development drive.
The YMBOA will serve as the central authority for policy, management, and oversight of the equipment. Its mandate includes ensuring accountability, deployment, cost efficiency, storage, operations, and maintenance of the machines.
The Board’s composition reflects a cross section of government institutions: Brownie J. Samukai, Executive Chairperson, Ministry of Public Works, Member, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Member, Ministry of National Defense, Member, Ministry of Local Government, Member, General Services Agency (GSA), Member, and a representative of the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC), serving as Secretary
President Boakai has also constituted the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC), also chaired by Samukai, to manage day to day operations under YMBOA’s guidance.
The committee’s leadership team includes Roger S.W.Y. Domah (Deputy Coordinator for Administration), St. Jerome Larbelee (Deputy Coordinator for Operations/Technical Services), Emmanuel Monlue (Assistant Coordinator for Policy & General Services), and Ibrahim R. Kiazolu (Comptroller). A dedicated support staff will assist the committee.
The SPPCC is tasked with preparing a National Deployment Plan for the machines, submitting it to the YMBOA for approval, and implementing the plan once endorsed. It must also provide monthly reports on equipment status and activities. A key directive is the adoption of a “Maintenance First” regime, designed to maximize the machines’ lifespan and ensure value for money.
The initiative follows earlier announcements by Deputy Minister of Public Affairs for Technical Services Prince Tambah, who disclosed in China last month that the first batch of machines had already been loaded onto a vessel bound for Monrovia, with arrival expected in late March 2026. Additional shipments are scheduled to follow.
The procurement of this earth moving and construction machines represents a major milestone in the Boakai administration’s infrastructure agenda. Officials say the equipment will be deployed nationwide to accelerate road construction, improve connectivity, and support broader development projects.
By creating a dual structure—the YMBOA for oversight and the SPPCC for execution—the government aims to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in managing the multimillion-dollar investment.
The appointment of Samukai, a seasoned public servant with extensive defense and administrative experience, signals the administration’s intent to anchor the project in strong leadership and institutional coordination.
The arrival of the machines is widely expected to mark a turning point in Liberia’s infrastructure transformation, underscoring the government’s commitment to delivering tangible development outcomes.
