MONROVIA, OCTOBER 10, 2024 – The resignation of Liberia’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Amin Modad, has exploded a wave of public outrage, with calls for a thorough investigation into alleged financial mismanagement. The scandal centers on the recent purchase of a $45,000 vehicle for the Ministry, which has drawn widespread criticism despite Modad’s insistence that the transaction was transparent.
In his resignation letter addressed to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Modad acknowledged the mounting pressure and the distraction the controversy has caused, stating, “Though I have provided all documentations and facts that equivocally demonstrate that there was no malfeasance, I am deeply concerned about the impact on my integrity and the administration.”
Modad’s departure follows weeks of public outcry over the vehicle purchase and related allegations concerning Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) funds. The LRA had earlier clarified in a September 23 press release that no vehicle worth $150,000 was purchased, as was speculated in the media. However, it confirmed the approval of $96,000 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund to support the Ministry of Commerce’s logistical needs.
The LRA’s statement explained that the allocation of funds from its Customs Capacity Building Fund, under a contract with MEDTECH Scientific Limited, had been a long-standing practice. This fund, the LRA maintained, is designated to support the Ministry of Commerce’s trade-related activities, with vehicles being part of this logistical support. The LRA further detailed the transfer of $3.3 million to a newly opened escrow account following a Supreme Court ruling in June 2024, clearing the way for the reallocation of customs revenue.
However, the resignation of Minister Modad has prompted civil society activists to demand wider accountability. Prominent activist Martin K. N. Kollie, in a strongly worded statement, urged for an independent investigation into the handling of public funds and the role of LRA officials in the controversy. Kollie wrote, “Public waste, corruption, bad governance, and anti-democratic tendencies must come to an end. We are calling for an independent investigation and subsequent prosecution. Mr. Dorbor Jallah of LRA must also be investigated and held accountable to quell public accusations of kinsmanship.”
Kollie’s remarks emphasize the growing frustration among Liberians who feel left behind by an administration they believe has failed to deliver on promises of transparency and accountability. “The people have suffered so much and so long. They deserve a life of dignity and self-worth too,” Kollie added, calling attention to the broader societal impact of unchecked corruption.
The activist’s demand for an investigation has heightened pressure on the Boakai administration to take decisive action. Many are questioning whether Modad’s resignation is a sufficient response or merely a symbolic gesture in the face of a much larger issue.
As the controversy unfolds, attention has also shifted to the role of the Liberia Revenue Authority and its allocation of resources. Despite the LRA’s clarification that the purchase of vehicles for the Ministry of Commerce falls within established legal frameworks, the timing of the expenditure has fueled suspicions of mismanagement.
With Modad stepping down, questions remain about the integrity of Liberia’s public financial management systems and the extent to which senior officials may have played a role in misusing public resources. Kollie’s statement, in particular, suggests that the focus should not solely be on Modad, but on a more comprehensive investigation into all parties involved.
This latest scandal, public trust in govermemntal institutions continues to grind down, and the demand for justice grows louder. Whether the Boakai administration will heed these calls remains to be seen.
