MONROVIA: The Ministry of Transport (MoT), has reacted to protest staged on Monday, August 12, 2024, concerning the termination of all consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements at the Ministry.
The MoT also distanced, categorically, incumbent President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Administration from the termination of said consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements.
According to the Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transport (MOT), Mr. Shadrach Brown, the termination of the consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements was done by previous government.
“Their consultancy contracts were terminated under the previous Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) government, headed by former President George Weah, through a communication, signed by the former Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Mr. James Thomas, in November 2023,” Mr. Brown disclosed yesterday, August 14, 2024, at the MoT Central Office in Monrovia.
Mr. Brown: “The current administration of the Ministry of Transport, headed by Mr. Sirleaf R. Tyler, has no intention to take people from their jobs but the termination of their consultancy contracts was done by previous government.”
He said contrary to their accusations, all consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements at the Transport Ministry were to conclude by end of December, 2023, referencing a communication signed by the former Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Mr. James Thomas.
He pointed out that the former Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Mr. James Thomas communication, in November 2023, was addressed to Mr. Samuel Wulue, former Minister of Transport.
According to Brown, the Civil Service Agency (CSA), ex-Director General, Mr. James Thomas communication clearly stated that all consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements at the Transport Ministry were to conclude by the end of December in 2023.
The MOT Communications and Public Affairs Director stressed that, this directive was issued in response to provisions in the consultancy contracts and contractors’ agreements which were to last one fiscal year and said services could be renewed based on availability of funds and needs.
The MoT official maintains that the current administration of the Ministry of Transport, headed by Mr. Sirleaf R. Tyler, inherited this situation and has been working diligently to navigate the financial challenges posed by the previous regime.
“It is important to note that any future hiring of consultants by the Transport Ministry is strictly based on availability of needs and funds and the specific needs of the Ministry through the Civil Service Agency (CSA), in alignment with the broader fiscal policies of the Liberian government,” he said.
