By Kemo Cham
Liberian President Joseph Boakai has accepted the resignation of one of his top cabinet ministers at the center of a controversy over the purchase of a luxury vehicle for official use.
Amin Modad, Minister of Commerce & Industry, sparked public outcry after news emerged that his ministry had purchased an SUV for thousands of United States Dollars. The vehicle was procured through the Liberia Revenue Authority, from funds reportedly collected from a container tracking and inspection company at the Freeport of Monrovia.
Civil Society activist and former governing Unity Party (UP) stalwart Martin Kollie sparked the public outcry after revealing the transaction, which he alleged involved US$150,000.
But a leaked copy of Modad’s resignation letter cited in local media reports quoted him saying that the vehicle cost over USD45, 000.
Modad is a prominent member of the Unity Party, which he served as Chairman from 2020 to 2022. He said in his resignation letter that his decision was meant to protect his image and the administration’s, although he denied any malfeasance in the transaction.
A statement from the Executive Mansion, issued on Thursday, October 10 said the procurement of the vehicle “significantly exceeded” the government’s estimated cost for ministerial transportation.
“The President noted that while Mr. Modad has contributed to the development of the Ministry during his tenure, the decision to make such a purchase at this time reflected poor judgment and a lack of sensitivity to the current economic environment in the country,” the statement signed Presidential Press Secretary Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana notes.
According to the statement, President Boakai also ordered for the vehicle in question to be transferred to the General Services Agency (GSA) for appropriate use in accommodating VIP guests of the government.
Deputy Minister for Administration in the ministry, Scholastica Tanneh Nyenkan- Nimely, was also named Acting Minister until a replacement is named.
The scandal erupted while President Boakai was attending the UN General Assembly in the United States. Reports suggest that a displeased Boakai declined to meet with Modad on his return, which prompted his resignation.
Modad, a business mogul with investment spanning hospitality, food and beverage, construction, energy, and trade, is the first cabinet Minister to have resigned from office in the Boakai administration which came to power promising to fight corruption that was rife under his predecessor, George Weah. But critics say the new administration is slow in fulfilling this promise.
Following news of the resignation of Modad, there have been calls for the LRA Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah to follow suit.
