Africa-Press – Liberia. Cllr. Saifuah Mai Gray, former Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), has reaffirmed that the process leading to the awarding of the contract for the construction of the company’s new headquarters was legitimate, transparent, and consistent with public procurement standards.
The US$4.5 million contract, awarded in 2023 to the BMC Group of Companies, was for the construction of a state-of-the-art headquarters for the oil company. The project was initiated under the Weah-Taylor administration and later continued under the current Unity Party-led government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
According to reports, the building is now nearing completion. In recent weeks, photos of the imposing structure have circulated widely on social media, with CDC partisans and admirers of Cllr. Gray praising her for what they describe as “visionary leadership.” Supporters say the project demonstrates the former administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic growth.
However, the wave of praise has also reignited allegations of corruption and irregularities surrounding the project’s procurement and payment processes.
Accusations of Financial Irregularities
Supporters of the Unity Party have alleged that the contract was marred by suspicious payments and violations of financial procedures, claiming that millions of dollars were disbursed and withdrawn in cash before any work began on the project. They argue that such transactions suggested collusion between NOCAL officials and the contractor.
One government supporter described the alleged payments as “a clear case of insider dealing,” asserting that “nobody needs to tell you what happened.”
Cllr. Gray Pushes Back
Cllr. Gray, however, has pushed back strongly against what she calls “false and politically motivated” allegations. She maintained that the process was conducted fairly and transparently, with all approvals obtained from the relevant oversight bodies.
Gray recalled that under the previous Unity Party government, NOCAL spent US$700,000 on a swampy plot of land in Congo Town that was unsuitable for construction. She said the current building site was identified after a scientific soil test conducted by the University of Liberia’s Civil Engineering Department, which deemed the area stable and fit for the project.
“It was not a haphazard process,” Gray insisted. “We followed the law, and every decision was made in the best interest of the company and the Liberian people.”
Clarifying the Procurement Process
Cllr. Gray emphasized that NOCAL’s 2023 budget, duly approved by the Board of Directors and aligned with the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) guidelines, included funding for both the land purchase and construction of the new headquarters.
“The process leading to the awarding of the contract was legitimate and transparent. NOCAL’s 2023 budget, duly approved by the Board and in alignment with the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission guidelines, allocated funds for the purchase of land and the commencement of the headquarters’ construction.”– Cllr. Safaua Mai Gray, former Chief Executive Officer, National Oil Comapany of Liberia.
She explained that the procurement plan, after receiving PPCC approval, underwent rigorous scrutiny, culminating in the selection of BMC Group Inc. through a competitive process. The contract was signed on July 13, 2023, followed by the first payment on July 17, 2023, contradicting claims that funds were disbursed before a formal agreement was signed.
Gray further clarified that the decision to have BMC Group open an account at SIB Bank was based on sound financial reasoning. At the time, NOCAL was negotiating a loan facility with the bank to ensure the project’s continuity in case of funding delays.
“Contrary to claims of money laundering, the funds deposited at SIB were for legitimate project expenses,” she said.
Ongoing Scrutiny
Despite these assurances, the controversy continues to attract attention amid ongoing scrutiny of past government contracts. Cllr. Gray said she remains ready to cooperate fully with any investigation, reaffirming her confidence in the integrity of her leadership and the transparency of the process.
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