MONROVIA: Following the Minister of Commerce Amin Modad, alleged purchase of a US$96,000 vehicle by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), a group under the banner Coalition of Youth and Students for Better Liberia (CYSBL) is calling for due-diligence into the US$ 96K vehicle saga involving the Minister of Commerce, Amin Modad and the Liberia Revenue Commission (LRA).
The Executive Director of CYSBL Israel T. Koffeh speaking with reporters in Monrovia, called on the public and the media to allow due-diligence to take effect stating that calling for dismissal or suspension is not timely.
CYSBL is a non-governmental organization that is into humanity, education, health, community base mobilization amongst others.
Mr. Koffeh indicated that hearing the news in the public between Commissioner Jallah and the Commerce Minister for the MEDTECH deal sounds discouraging but due-diligence should take effect.
He emphasized that those that are calling on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to suspend or dismiss those that are involve have issues with them.
He said several Liberians know the integrity of the LRA boss from his days at the University of Liberia, Public Procurement Concession Company (PPCC) and the Ebola Fund.
The CYSBL Executive Director highlighted that throughout the life of Commissioner Jallah, he has stood for integrity, accountability and transparency therefore, the public should stop passing judgment on him and allow due-diligence to take its course.
Recently, the LRA in a release on September 23, 2024, clarified that it did not purchased a vehicle valued at US$ 150,000 as reported.
However, the LRA confirmed the approval of the Ministry of Commerce’s request in early May 2024 for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund under the Destination Inspection (ID) Contract held with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) for the purchase of vehicles to support the Ministry of Commerce.
According to LRA, the vehicles are intended for trade-related activities in collaboration with Customs. The specification of the vehicles, as well as their deployment with the Ministry of Commerce are determined by the Ministry of Commerce not the LRA.
Also, Commerce Minister Amin Modad commenting on the issue, clarified that the vehicle in question was purchased for the Ministry of Commerce with payments made directly to the vendor and no funds passing through his ministry or personal accounts.
Minister Modad also stated that the vehicle was not custom-made and was certainly not purchased for US$ 150,000 as has been falsely claimed.
“I’ve been using my personal vehicles, including an S-Class Mercedes, since I took office eight months ago, and I cover the costs of fuel and my driver’s salary myself,” he said.
The Commerce boss also mentioned that photos being posted portraying the vehicle in question are photos of former US President Donald Trump vehicle. Writes Linda Gbartie