A Smart News Investigation
The Boakai administration is facing growing questions over the management of more than US$10.1 million reportedly disbursed for city streets and community road pavement projects across Liberia’s 15 counties as of September 30, 2026.
An examination of the Ministry of Finance’s Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP) expenditure figures in the draft FY2027 National Budget reveals significant financial releases for several road projects, raising questions about contractor payments, procurement, construction progress, and accountability.
A November 3, 2026 briefing by Public Works Minister Roland Layfette Giddings identified several companies contracted to execute the projects. However, the relationship between reported disbursements and actual construction remains a central concern.
CONTRACTORS IDENTIFIED, BUT WHERE IS THE WORK?
According to the Minister’s briefing, the following companies were assigned to several county street projects:
– PGL Construction: Kakata City Streets, Margibi.
– ARDEMS: Barclayville City Streets, Grand Kru.
– BK Enterprise: Bopolu City Streets, Gbarpolu.
– Crossroads Enterprise: Gbarnga City Streets, Bong.
– BLECO Group: Zwedru City Streets, Grand Gedeh.
– Prime Plus Construction: Nimba City Streets.
– Kingdom Business Inc.: Gibi Road Corridor, Margibi.
– 21st Century Engineering: Sanniquellie, Karnplay and Garplay streets.
The Minister disclosed that some contracts had been signed, while others were awaiting Ministry of Justice attestation, Ministry of Finance review, or procurement approval.
However, the September 30 expenditure figures show substantial disbursements for several projects.
Kakata reportedly received its entire US$950,000 allocation, while Barclayville received approximately US$1.39 million out of US$2 million. Bopolu received US$1.3 million out of US$2 million, and Gbarnga received US$1.19 million out of US$1.7 million.
Buchanan City Streets also recorded US$1,616,160 in disbursements against a US$2.5 million allocation.
These figures raise a fundamental question: If substantial funds were released, what construction work had been completed, and how much money actually reached the contractors?
GREENVILLE AND CESTOS CONTRACTS EXPIRED
The Public Works Minister also disclosed that previous contracts for Greenville City Streets in Sinoe County and Cestos City Streets in Rivercess County had expired, requiring re-procurement.
Both projects recorded zero disbursements as of September 30.
Further examination of PPCC procurement records shows that Cestos City Streets was advertised on October 9, 2026, under IFB No. MPW/W/RB/011/26, with a procurement estimate of US$750,000.
Two companies submitted bids:
– Solid Rock Investment Inc. – US$641,664.29.
– Echo Group of Companies – US$723,861.55.
The procurement record indicated that the bids were under evaluation.
The Ministry must explain why the previous Cestos contract expired, whether the former contractor received any payments, and when the new contractor will commence work.
PROCUREMENT AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
PPCC records also show that projects in Buchanan, Barclayville, Bopolu, and Gbarnga were advertised through restricted bidding processes, with Liberian-owned providers targeted.
However, procurement advertisements alone do not establish that contracts were properly awarded and executed.
Smart News believes the government should publish the final evaluation reports, signed contracts, contractor payment records, and project implementation schedules.
The Ministry of Finance must also clarify whether the reported disbursements represent actual cash transfers, payments to contractors, mobilization advances, or other expenditure arrangements.
A disbursement does not automatically prove that a contractor received the money or that construction was completed.
QUESTIONS FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS AND FINANCE MINISTRIES
The investigation raises several important questions:
- Why were funds disbursed for certain projects before the Minister’s announced construction commencement dates?
- How much money was actually transferred to each contractor?
- Were mobilization advances secured by valid bank guarantees?
- What percentage of each project had been completed as of September 30?
- Why did the Greenville and Cestos contracts expire?
- Which contractors have received payments, and what are their contractual completion deadlines?
- Will the government publish independent engineering reports verifying construction progress?
The General Auditing Commission should also consider examining the financial and implementation records to establish whether public funds were properly released, accounted for, and matched by verified work.
THE PUBLIC DESERVES ROADS, NOT JUST FINANCIAL REPORTS
The November 3 briefing provides evidence that some road projects are ongoing and others were scheduled to commence in November or December. Therefore, it would be premature to conclude that no construction has taken place across the entire programme.
Nevertheless, the gap between reported disbursements, contract formalities, and physical implementation demands greater transparency.
Liberians have waited for improved roads for years. County capitals and rural communities need infrastructure that supports transportation, commerce, education, and healthcare.
The Boakai administration must demonstrate that public infrastructure spending is producing measurable results.
The question is no longer simply how much money was allocated or disbursed. It is who received the money, what they were contracted to deliver, what has been completed, and where the remaining funds are.
Smart News will continue examining the contracts, payments, procurement records, and physical implementation of these publicly funded road projects.
