The Joint Legislative Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the 55th Legislature has ordered the Ministry of Public Works to halt all payments and contract amendments tied to East International Construction Company. The directive comes after the firm repeatedly failed to appear before lawmakers to answer questions raised in a General Auditing Commission (GAC) report on the expansion of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) road corridor.
The order was issued Wednesday, August 12, during a tense public hearing chaired by Margibi County Representative Clarence Gahr. He declared that no further dealings with East International would be tolerated until the company faces the committee and responds directly to the audit findings.
“Government contractors must be accountable to the Liberian people,” Gahr thundered. “We will not overlook East International’s continued absence. This is about public resources, and those entrusted with them must answer to the Auditor General and to this Legislature.”
The GAC’s report flagged troubling concerns about the execution of the RIA road project, a multimillion dollar undertaking meant to modernize Liberia’s primary international gateway. Yet East International’s refusal to appear before the committee has only deepened suspicions.
According to Gahr, the company requested 90 days to respond to the audit — a delay lawmakers branded “unacceptable.” He warned that such evasive tactics deny Liberians timely answers and risk exposing taxpayers to further losses.
“They are asking for ninety days before responding. That is not good for the Liberian people,” Gahr said, his voice rising as he instructed the Ministry of Public Works to suspend all discussions, payments, or amendments until East International complies.
Representative Gahr reminded the chamber that Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law obligates contractors to respond to audit concerns. By ignoring summons, East International is not only defying the Legislature but undermining the very framework designed to safeguard public funds.
He cautioned that any attempt to amend the contract before resolving outstanding audit issues could create “additional risks” for the government. “Stop where you are,” he ordered the Ministry of Public Works. “Do not have any discussion with them. Tell them to revert to the committee.”
The committee’s frustration was compounded by the repeated postponement of hearings. Several current and former officials of the Liberia Airport Authority and the Ministry of Public Works also failed to appear, further stalling progress.
The PAC has now issued a final warning: all summoned officials and company representatives must attend the next hearing or face legislative sanctions, including possible referral for prosecution.
While East International’s defiance has captured headlines, lawmakers insist the issue extends beyond one company. For the PAC, the RIA road project has become a symbol of the larger struggle to enforce accountability in government contracts.
“This is not just about East International,” Gahr emphasized. “Every company executing government contracts must be prepared to account for their activities whenever concerns are raised by our oversight institutions.”
The committee’s directive reflects a growing determination within the Legislature to tighten oversight of infrastructure projects, which have long been plagued by allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
The PAC is expected to reconvene its hearing in the coming weeks, with the expectation that East International and relevant government officials will finally appear. Until then, the Ministry of Public Works has been ordered to freeze all payments, amendments, and negotiations related to the disputed contract.
For many observers, the showdown represents a critical test of Liberia’s commitment to transparency. Will East International bow to legislative pressure, or will the standoff escalate into a broader confrontation over accountability in public spending?
As the controversy deepens, one fact remains clear: the Legislature has drawn a line in the sand, signaling that contractors who ignore oversight will no longer be allowed to operate unchecked.
