President Joseph Nyuma Boakai let the cat out of the bag Thursday during the dedication of 35 newly acquired buses for the National Transit Authority (NTA), disclosing that Eco Bank Liberia is firmly financing the acquisition of the controversial yellow machines from China.
Getting a whooping number of yellow machines from the People's Republic of China has been one of the government's preoccupations, to effectively enable it undertake earmarked development initiatives in line with its ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which is its flagship development program.
The nation erupted into tension early 2024, the early days of the administration, following an announcement made by Deputy Minister of State, Mamaka Bility that the government had acquired 225 pieces of earth-moving machines from China.
Though welcome in light of the need for national development which such many believed amount of yellow machines will support, questions however abounded about the source of the money, the legality of the agreement, whether it met the country's procurement processes as well as legislative coronation.
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For months, the government fumbled to provide clarity on the status of the yellow machines, but managed to bring in country about 15 pieces which they paraded, apparently to win public support since they did not agree with any arrangements which they believed strongly contradicted the laws of the country, and the commitment for transparency and accountability.
At the same time, President Boakai set a special taskforce headed by Vice President to ensure that processes leading to the acquisition of the machines meet legal standards.
Since then, there have been little information about the status of the yellow machines until yesterday when the President broke silence, saying that the yellow machines will soon be in country and that Eco Bank is financing the process. He did not detail the arrangements between the Bank and Government, but it comes against the backdrop of the dedication of 35 buses which he said are financed by the same bank through ABK Transport, a Liberian -owned transport.
The President's disclosure is likely to either settle or create additional dust about the process for the acquisition of the yellow machines.
President Boakai
However, following the dedication of buses, a process which readies them for public use under the auspices of the NTA, to ease the transportation wahala faced most citizens, the President got on one of the buses for a ride around Monrovia.
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Supported by police escort, the ride began from the NTA offices in Gardnersville through the Japanese Freeway and then to central Monrovia.
Enthusiastic to see their President on the new bus, citizens were seen waving to the Liberian leader as a mark of appreciation for his leadership, let alone the acquisition of the buses that are likely to go a long way to calming down the hovering transportation storm.
Most residents of Monrovia prefer NTA buses to other channels of transportation due to the low fares they pay as opposed to taxis, kekehs or motor bikes.
Thursday's colorful program of the new buses was graced by government officials and staffers of the NTA.
