Africa-Press – Liberia. — “If Modad can resign over allegations of purchasing a questionable luxurious vehicle, why can’t Grigsby do the same,” asks Rep. Clarence Gahr
The Chair of the Legislative Joint Public Account Committee (PAC), Margibi County District #5 Representative Clarence Gahr, is calling for the resignation of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grisgby, following allegations of a leaked financial document linking him to the purchase of luxurious SUV vehicles with taxpayers’ money.
The document reportedly indicated that the Minister, who by the virtue of that position is the Chief of Office Staff to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, received funds from National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) to procure vehicles for the President during the transition period, with the vehicles not yet accounted for.
“The leaked document shows that Minister Grigsby received money from NASSCORP to purchase vehicles for President Boakai during the transition period and those vehicles are yet to be made visible,” Gahr said. He also welcomed the resignation of Commerce Minister Amin Modad, and called for an impartial fight against corruption.
The PAC Chair made the call on Monday during a public hearing on the General Auditing Commission (GAC) audit reports for the National Transit Authority (NTA) and Bong County.
“The Minister of State has to resign because he cannot account for how he acquired funds to purchase SUV vehicles for the President’s personal use. Leaked documents linking him to taking money from NASSCORP to buy the vehicles but we are yet to get any explanation from him,” Gahr said at the hearing.
Between December 2023 and January 2024, Minister Grigsby faced allegations of instructing the NASSCORP to acquire five new SUV vehicles for personal use rather than official functions.
This purported instruction occurred prior to Grigsby assuming his governmental role, prompting inquiries into the appropriateness of his conduct and the utilization of state assets. The procurement of these vehicles, reportedly estimated at US$117,000, has generated public apprehension and demands for transparency, especially amid Liberia’s enduring issues with corruption and economic hardships.
A letter between Mr. Grigsby and a local banking institution available to the public reads in part: “I extend my warm compliments and best wishes for the New Year. Based on a request from the Transitional team for assistance to facilitate logistics arrangements during the upcoming inauguration program, NASSCORP has agreed and arranged to purchase a Land Cruiser vehicle from CICA Motors with a deferred payment of 30- 45 days (e.g. March 15,2024). CICA requires that we secure and provide them a Payment Guarantee from our bankers in order to be able to effect the sale of the vehicle to NASSCORP on such a basis. NASSCORP therefore would like to request SI Bank to proceed to issue the requisite Payment Guarantee on our behalf to CICA Motor for the amount of US$117,000.00 (One Hundred Seventeen Thousand United States Dollars) to be paid by March 15, 2024. Copy of the invoice for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 LC300 provided by CICA Motors is herewith attached.”
The reported instruction attributed to Grigsby for NASSCORP to acquire five new SUV vehicles prior to officially assuming office raises concerns regarding the potential misuse of funds designated for social security and welfare purposes.
NASSCORP’s assets, including contributions from pensioners, are intended to ensure financial security and benefits for retirees and beneficiaries. Any diversion or misappropriation of these funds for unauthorized expenses, such as the acquisition of luxury vehicles for political figures, jeopardizes the financial sustainability and public confidence in the pension system. This situation poses a risk to the well-being of pensioners who depend on these funds for their sustenance.
Making reference to the recent resignation of former Commerce Minister Amin Modad, who did not survive a controversial purchase of a US$98K vehicle, the PAC Chair noted that Grigsby finds himself in a similar position and must do the honorable thing by bowing out.
“The President must prevail on Grigsby to resign as he did with Modad. This is unfair treatment. Two people cannot commit the same sin and punish one and forget about the other,” the Margibi Lawmaker said.
In light of these allegations, President Joseph N. Boakai has refrained from making any public statements on the issue. Despite assuming office on January 15, 2024, the President has not publicly addressed the accusations against Grigsby or initiated visible steps to investigate or address them. This absence of a response has raised concerns among critics, who argue that it may weaken the President’s pledge to tackle corruption, a significant focal point of his campaign.
The President’s silence is especially noteworthy considering the seriousness of the accusations and the possible misuse of public resources.
NTA Audit Report
Public Hearing into the AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT on the Financial Statements Audit of the National Transit Authority for the Period Ended July 1, 2016 to the period ended June 30, 2018 shows that, the Management did not maintain Trial Balance that provides a basis for the preparation of final accounts.
During the audit, the Auditor General observed that Management did not provide evidence of payment amounting to L$69,121.70, representing staff employees’ contributions to NASSCORP.
During the hearing, most of the immediate past senior officials of the NTA claimed to have no knowledge of the report and could not respond to queries from the committee members as they blamed their boss of keeping to his chest the report.
GAC audit Report findings
During the audit, the Auditor General observed that Management operated the Entity with the amount of US$ 3,570,345.21 without evidence of Quarterly Budget Performance Reports.
During the audit, the Auditor General observed that the daily attendance logs were not adequately supervised or monitored by staff of the Human Resource Department. Personnel are processed on the payroll without reference to the signed daily attendance log.
During the audit, the AG also observed that Management did not maintain a comprehensive record of fuel in the amount US$769,296.26 for the period under audit. For example, the distribution log does not show the quantity of fuel that was received and utilized per day.
During the audit, the Auditor General also observed that there was no evidence that Management maintained stock reports from July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The Auditor General observed that there was no evidence that Management develops a strategic and operational plan that provides a sense of direction that outlines measurable goals.
During the audit, the Auditor General observed that there was no evidence that Management had developed a risk management policy to guide internal and external risks that could impact the achievement of the Entity’s objectives.
Also, during the audit, the Auditor General observed that the Management of NTA disbursed the total amount of L$450,970.00 directly from bus intake without the use of the voucher system.
“During the audit, the Auditor General observed that the duplicate receipts used for Charter services appear not to be visible. For example, the amounts, description and customer names could not be identified.
“During the audit, the Auditor General observed that there was no evidence that Management has developed a risk management policy to guide internal and external risks that could impact the achievement of the Entity’s objectives.”
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