The Yellow Machines Deal—A Legal, Procurement, and Accountability Breach: Ignoring the Letter and Spirit of the Law

Michael T
Apr 18
3 min read

IN PHOTO: PPCC Executive Director Bodger Johnson and the first pieces of Yellow machines offloaded at the Freeport of Monrovia Months ago

Projected as a deal intended to jumpstart Liberia’s road rehabilitation, the Boakai administration’s Yellow Machines negotiation has become a lightning rod for controversy, exposing deep fissures in the country’s procurement and governance systems. What began as a bold infrastructure promise has devolved into a case study of procedural lapses, legal ambiguities, and persistent suspicions of high-level corruption1 2 3.

Liberian law is clear: all major government procurements must adhere to the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Act, which mandates competitive bidding, transparency, and legislative oversight for contracts of this scale. Yet, the Yellow Machines deal was announced and partially executed without any evidence of a formal procurement process or legislative approval.

When journalists from Liberian Investigator contacted recently, PPCC Executive Director Bodger Scott Johnson clearly stated that nothing concerning the Yellow Machine deal has reached his office2 3. A statement he tried denying due to political pressure moments after the story started trending. Multiple lawmakers and civil society groups have decried this as a blatant violation of the PPCC Act and the Liberian Constitution, requiring that such agreements be scrutinized and ratified by the Legislature2 3 5.

Perhaps the most damning aspect of the saga is the staggering discrepancy in reported costs. The initial price tag of $80 million for 285 earth-moving machines was slashed to $22 million after Vice President Koung’s intervention—an unexplained $58 million reduction. Rather than being celebrated, this “savings” has fueled public outrage and suspicions of attempted graft at the highest levels. Critics and transparency advocates argue that the original price was likely inflated to benefit insiders, and that the renegotiation only exposed the scale of the attempted malfeasance1 4 6.

Despite the administration's public assurances that no money has changed hands and that negotiations are ongoing, the process remains opaque. No procurement notices, contracts, or detailed financial arrangements have been published. The government’s shifting narratives—first announcing the machines were en route, then backtracking to claim no deal had been finalized—have only deepened public mistrust. Calls for an independent review by the PPCC and full disclosure of all documents have so far gone unanswered2 3 4.

The Legislature’s role has been consistently sidelined. President Boakai’s letter to the House of Representatives, clarifying that the deal was a “gentleman’s agreement” with a foreign friend and that no funds had yet been committed, did little to assuage concerns. Lawmakers from both the opposition and ruling party have condemned the process, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for executive overreach and disregard for constitutional checks and balances3 5.

Liberia’s media and civil society have played a crucial role in bringing the deal’s irregularities to light, demanding answers and accountability. Investigative reporting and public commentary have forced the administration to respond, but have yet to yield the full transparency required by law and public interest. The ongoing debate underscores the importance of an independent press and active civil society in safeguarding national resources1 2 3.

The Yellow Machines affair is a critical test for President Boakai’s administration, which campaigned on promises of transparency and good governance. The handling of this deal—whether through retroactive legal maneuvers or a genuine commitment to open, lawful procurement—will determine whether Liberia moves forward or remains mired in a cycle of scandal and impunity1 2.

The controversy surrounding the Yellow Machines deal is not just about roads or machinery; it is about the soul of Liberian governance. The administration must urgently open the procurement books, involve the PPCC, and allow full legislative and public scrutiny. Anything less will undermine public trust, weaken institutional integrity, and risk repeating the mistakes of the past. The path forward demands not just better roads, but a better road to accountability and the rule of law2 3.

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The Yellow Machines Deal—A Legal, Procurement, and Accountability Breach: Ignoring the Letter and Spirit of the Law

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