Africa-Press – Liberia. Employees of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry are demanding full transparency and accountability after raising serious concerns over the Ministry’s recent procurement of a staff bus and motorbikes.
Workers say the purchases do not reflect what was initially promised and believe the discrepancies point to deeper problems within the Ministry’s administrative and financial operations.
The concerns date back to June 17, 2025, when the Minister of Commerce reportedly informed staff during a general meeting that the Ministry had procured a 30-seater Toyota Coaster bus valued at US$65,000.
Employees were told the bus would be delivered by August. However, months later, no bus arrived. Instead, staff were shown pictures of a Chinese BLK bus that workers insist is significantly cheaper than the Toyota Coaster initially announced. Market checks by several staff members placed the value of the BLK bus at no more than US$30,000, leaving employees questioning why they were told otherwise.
One frustrated employee, speaking anonymously, said the discrepancy was impossible to ignore. The employee said the Ministry cannot claim transparency when its promises do not match the evidence presented. Another staff member said the situation has created distrust within the Ministry and added that the cost provided by the administration does not reflect the reality of the market.
A third employee dismissed the Ministry’s explanation as misleading. This staff member stated that employees know the difference between a Toyota Coaster and a BLK bus and were shocked when the pictures presented did not match what the Minister had promised. A fourth employee said the incident embarrassed the Ministry, adding that the institution responsible for monitoring business standards cannot afford to be associated with questionable procurement practices.
Workers say the purchases do not reflect what was initially promised and believe the discrepancies point to deeper problems within the Ministry’s administrative and financial operations.
The issue escalated further when motorbikes intended for county and regional inspectors were delivered. Staff say they were told the Ministry had purchased durable motorbikes worth US$1,700 each, but the ones received were standard TVS models known to cost around US$850 or less in Liberia. A fifth employee questioned how such a significant cost gap could be justified, saying the workers viewed it as an indication that the Ministry had failed to ensure value for money. A sixth employee said morale had dropped sharply because staff believe they are being misled and that their concerns are not being taken seriously by the administration.
The Commerce Ministry Workers Association has formally communicated these concerns to the Ministry’s leadership. In their letter, the association stated that workers reject the BLK bus and want the Ministry to return the TVS motorbikes to the vendor. They also called on the General Services Agency to conduct a detailed review of the procurement process and urged the administration to reconsider its dealings with the supplier, citing a growing lack of confidence among employees.
The Workers Association also highlighted wider administrative issues, including the unresolved vacancy in the HR department. Since the resignation of the HR Director, no acting appointment has been formally announced. Employees say they do not know who is responsible for HR matters, creating confusion for staff seeking assistance. They also expressed disappointment that the Ministry’s Welfare Committee was excluded from the insurance bidding process, leaving workers uninformed about the current insurance arrangement and unclear about what benefits they are entitled to.
These concerns surface at a time when the Minister is already under public scrutiny for authorizing US$429,029 in renovation work at the Monrovia Industrial Park. The authorization reportedly proceeded without approval from the Minister of Finance, despite requirements under the Public Financial Management Law. Staff say this decision has heightened their concern about the Minister’s approach to financial management and compliance.
Workers have also accused the Minister of making unilateral personnel decisions that violate civil service guidelines. They allege that she appointed her personal consultant as Acting HR Director without the approval of the Civil Service Agency and that she removed a civil servant from the headship of the Industrial Property Division and replaced him with a relative who is not a civil servant. Staff say these actions have contributed to an environment marked by intimidation and fear.
One employee described the workplace as increasingly hostile, saying many staff feel threatened and unsafe expressing their concerns. According to employees, the Minister has also been boasting about her influence within government and her close ties to the President, which they believe has emboldened her to disregard established procedures.
When contacted by FrontPageAfrica for comment on the allegations, the Minister declined to respond, claiming the media outlet seeking clarification was attempting to damage her reputation.
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