By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
Former Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins and Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah have clashed over the leadership of the Ministry of Public Works, sparking debate on whether technical ministries should be led by engineers or administrators.
A heated exchange between ex-Minister Ruth Coker Collins and Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah has reignited Liberia’s debate on professional qualifications versus competence in government appointments, with both officials defending their records and criticizing each other’s performance.
Collins, who served under former President George Weah, criticized the appointment of current Public Works Minister Roland Giddings, describing him as “misplaced” by President Joseph Boakai’s administration. Speaking on OK FM, she argued that the ministry should be led by an engineer rather than an administrator, suggesting that Liberia’s engineering community may petition future governments to prioritize technical expertise in such appointments.
She further defended her tenure, citing equipment acquisitions worth $4.8 million and claiming that several machines procured under her leadership remain in use today. Collins insisted that ongoing road and demolition projects originated during her administration.
In a fiery response, Piah dismissed Collins’ criticisms, stressing that competence and integrity matter more than academic titles. “Sometimes a BSc degree holder can perform far better than a PhD holder,” he said, defending Giddings’ appointment and praising his recent performance.
Piah went on to sharply criticize Collins’ record, accusing her of leaving Liberia’s roads in poor condition. “You’re the worst of all ministers that the Ministry of Public Works produced since post-war Liberia,” he charged, adding that if engineers’ recommendations produced similar results, “the government would rather appoint a high school student.”
The exchange has fueled public debate over whether Liberia’s infrastructure agencies should be led by sector professionals or political appointees, highlighting the tension between technical expertise and political trust in governance.
