President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has issued a directive for government ministries, agencies, and officials to strictly adhere to Liberia’s public procurement framework, warning that compliance is non-negotiable in the fight to protect public resources, ensure fair competition, and eliminate favoritism in government contracting.
Speaking at the opening of the 24th Cabinet Meeting, held under the theme “Value for Money: Maximizing Fiscal Space through System Efficiency and Government Asset Security,” President Boakai underscored that procurement is not a mere bureaucratic hurdle but a vital safeguard for accountability and transparency. The meeting focused on procurement and concessions, areas the President described as central to Liberia’s fiscal discipline and governance.
Acknowledging frustrations often expressed about the lengthy procedures involved in procurement, Boakai cautioned that such processes are indispensable. “Sometimes people get frustrated about all what you have to do to go through to buy this and buy that; but just imagine if these things were not in place, and even if they are in place, that people there were not implementing them, the resources you are talking about, you will not have them,” he said.
The President emphasized that procurement is a powerful tool for strengthening accountability, promoting fairness in the marketplace, and broadening citizen participation in government business.
“When we say procurement in the sense of procurement, it helps with accountability. It helps with fair play in the market. It also helps with making sure that every citizen has access to rendering services to this country,” Boakai stated.
He further clarified that participation in government should not be narrowly understood as public employment. Instead, Liberians can contribute meaningfully to national development by competitively supplying goods and services to the government. “Participation in the government doesn’t mean that everybody will work with the government, but you can serve, you can provide goods and services,” he explained.
Boakai warned against perceptions that government contracts are reserved for friends or politically connected individuals, stressing that only a transparent and competitive system can guarantee equal opportunity. “To do that in a competitive society, you need to have a process by which everybody can have access without going around saying, well, they give it to their friend, they have this, they have that,” he said.
The President also used the occasion to commend Cabinet members for their service, noting that public officials often receive attention only when mistakes occur, while their daily efforts go unnoticed. “People wait for the mistake you make, but we’re in leadership. So we watch and listen. We want to appreciate you very much,” he told his ministers.
Boakai’s remarks reinforced his administration’s broader commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability. By insisting on strict compliance with procurement rules, he signaled that Liberia’s development agenda will be anchored in fairness, efficiency, and the responsible management of public resources.
