By Socrates Smythe Saywon | Smart News
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Senate Public Accounts and Audits Committee (PAC) has intensified its investigation into the US$990,000 Gbarpolu County Chip Seal Road Project after receiving a detailed briefing from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), whose investigation has raised questions surrounding the execution of the project following allegations that it was abandoned after substantial public funds had been disbursed.
The investigation centers on a 2.9-kilometer chip seal road in Bopolu City, awarded to YSM, Inc., which the LACC said became the subject of an investigation after the Ministry of Public Works filed a complaint alleging that the contractor abandoned the project despite receiving significant government payments.
The Senate committee, chaired by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh, received the LACC’s findings during a consultative meeting held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, where commissioners outlined the complaint, the investigative process, preliminary findings, and recommendations arising from the inquiry.
According to the LACC, the complaint originated from the Ministry of Public Works after concerns emerged that the contractor had failed to complete the project despite substantial public funds having already been released.
The development has renewed concerns over the management of public infrastructure funds and intensified calls for greater accountability in the implementation of government-funded development projects.
Following the presentation, members of the Senate committee engaged LACC officials in extensive discussions, seeking clarification on several legal, financial, and technical aspects of the investigation.
While acknowledging the Commission’s work, lawmakers emphasized that any conclusions must be supported by credible technical evidence before recommendations are finalized.
The Committee noted that the investigation involves complex engineering issues, particularly because YSM, Inc. reportedly received certification for partial completion of the contract before the remaining portion was later canceled by a former Minister of Public Works.
To strengthen its oversight, the Committee unanimously agreed to invite both current and former officials of the Ministry of Public Works to appear jointly with the LACC and provide technical assessments regarding the project’s execution, engineering standards, and contractual performance.
Lawmakers believe testimony from ministry engineers will help determine the actual percentage of work completed, assess whether contractual obligations were fulfilled, and establish whether taxpayers received value for money.
The Committee also took note of several preliminary recommendations advanced by the LACC, including engaging an independent engineering firm to conduct a value-for-money assessment of the project, intensifying efforts to locate the contractor, and carrying out a joint technical verification exercise involving engineers from the Ministry of Public Works to determine the actual scope of work completed under the contract.
Although neither the Senate committee nor the LACC announced criminal findings during the briefing, the Committee’s decision to broaden the inquiry reflects increasing legislative efforts to ensure accountability, transparency, and prudent management of public resources.
The Senate committee reaffirmed its commitment to exercising its constitutional oversight responsibilities professionally and pledged continued collaboration with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and other integrity institutions to strengthen accountability across government institutions.
It also assured the people of Gbarpolu County and the Liberian public that the investigation will be pursued to its logical conclusion and that updates will be provided as the inquiry progresses.
The latest Senate action comes amid sustained public concern over the execution of government-funded infrastructure projects, with lawmakers seeking to determine whether public resources allocated for development projects are being managed efficiently and in accordance with the law.
