Boakai Puts Cabinet on Notice: Follow Procurement Rules, Protect Public Money

MONROVIA, LIBERIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has warned government officials against bypassing Liberia’s public procurement laws, insisting that contracts and purchases must be handled transparently to protect public money and give qualified Liberians a fair chance to do business with the government.

President Boakai made the call Thursday during the opening of the 24th Cabinet Meeting in Monrovia, which focused on procurement and concessions. The meeting was held under the theme, “Value for Money: Maximizing Fiscal Space through System Efficiency and Government Asset Security.”

The President acknowledged that procurement requirements can sometimes be lengthy and frustrating, particularly when government institutions need to purchase goods or secure services. However, he said those procedures exist for a reason and must not be ignored for convenience.

“Sometimes people get frustrated about all what you have to do to go through to buy this and buy that,” President Boakai said. “But just imagine if these things were not in place, and even if they are in place, that people there were not implementing them, the resources you are talking about, you will not have them.”

Boakai said strict compliance with procurement rules is critical to preventing the misuse of state resources and ensuring that government contracts are awarded through a fair and competitive process.

According to the President, procurement should not be treated simply as paperwork within government. He described it as an important accountability mechanism that can open government business to more Liberians while reducing perceptions of favoritism.

“When we say procurement in the sense of procurement, it helps with accountability. It helps with fair play in the market. It also helps with making sure that every citizen has access to rendering services to this country,” he said.

President Boakai also challenged the idea that participating in government means securing a government job. He said Liberians and local businesses can contribute to national development by supplying goods and providing services to public institutions.

“Participation in the government doesn’t mean that everybody will work with the government, but you can serve, you can provide goods and services,” the President stated.

He stressed, however, that access to those opportunities must be based on competition and established rules rather than friendship, influence or political connections.

“To do that in a competitive society, you need to have a process by which everybody can have access without going around saying, well, they give it to their friend, they have this, they have that,” Boakai said.

The President’s remarks placed accountability and value for money at the center of the Cabinet’s discussions, as his administration seeks to improve efficiency in public spending, strengthen the management of government assets and ensure that limited state resources deliver greater benefits to citizens.

President Boakai also thanked members of his Cabinet for their work, noting that public officials are frequently judged by their mistakes while much of their daily service receives little recognition.

“People wait for the mistake you make, but we’re in leadership. So we watch and listen. We want to appreciate you very much,” he told Cabinet members.