MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Council of Patriots of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC-COP) issued a press statement today, calling on President Joseph N. Boakai to dismiss the Minister of State Without Portfolio, Madam Mamaka Bility. The CDC-COP accuses Bility of violating Sections 9.1 and 9.2 of the Code of Conduct by accepting a bribe to facilitate a contract with South African businessman Robert Gumede worth over US$42.7 million in earth-moving equipment.
In their statement, the CDC-COP cited a video presentation during a recent cabinet retreat where Bility allegedly acknowledged receiving the equipment under questionable circumstances. “If you know the history of the roads of Liberia, this is more than just a visual turning over of the machines,” Bility was quoted as saying. The CDC-COP interprets this as an admission of accepting equipment from a corrupt company, in violation of Liberian law.
The CDC-COP further alleges that Bility was hired by the Guma Group of Companies as a lobbyist to secure a mineral resource swap deal involving the Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County. According to their intelligence, Bility was paid US$5 million to lobby necessary individuals to ensure the deal’s success. The 285 machines, reportedly turned over without any loan agreement or goodwill gesture, are seen as a bribe to expedite this deal.
“These corrupt actions demonstrate a desperation to amass ill-gotten wealth while compromising Liberia’s natural resources for foreign exploitation,” the CDC-COP stated. They argue that Bility’s actions have brought shame to the nation and are a gross violation of the law. The Council demands that President Boakai immediately dismiss Bility to uphold the integrity of his administration. “Mr. Boakai’s refusal to dismiss Mamaka will mean he sanctioned her corruptibility and it will be a political disaster,” they warned.
The CDC-COP also criticized the Boakai administration, describing it as the “most discoordinated regime operating on lies and empty impressions.” They specifically targeted Mr. Jerolimek Piah, accusing him of misinforming the Liberian people during a recent Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT) press conference. They labeled Piah as a “contradictory communication buffoon,” pointing out inconsistencies between his statements and those of Minister Bility.
“The government has not reached any deal yet but we will bring in Yellow machines,” Piah reportedly said, which contradicted Bility’s claim that “the 285 Yellow machines have been turned over to the government and they are on the ship coming to Liberia.” The CDC-COP described this as a “Kindergarten contradiction” and evidence of the administration’s deception and disorganization.
The CDC-COP expressed alarm over the rising corruption and misuse of public office under the Boakai administration. They urged that the Yellow Machines scandal not go unpunished and called for Bility to be held accountable for her actions to set a precedent against corruption. “Madam Mamaka must be dismissed. The Liberian people are watching,” they concluded.
This call to action by the CDC-COP underscores the growing concerns over corruption and governance in Liberia, highlighting the urgency for accountability and transparency in the Boakai administration.
