Monrovia, Liberia – A high-stakes public debate about the government’s controversial “yellow machines” project descended into confusion and contradiction when Yellow Machines Executive Chairperson Brownie J. Samukai failed to give a clear explanation of how tens of millions of dollars are being allocated, raising new concerns about accountability, transparency, and planning.
During a contentious debate on “Spoon Talk” on Spoon FM/TV on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Samukai attempted to address earlier assertions that he had been paid US$1.5 million. He maintained that he had not personally received any money, but rather that he had been granted authority by the government to access monies for project implementation.
However, the distinction appeared to deepen, rather than resolve, concerns from panelists, who pointed out inconsistencies in his explanations. “I did not receive one million dollars in my pocket. I received authorization,” he disclosed.
The project, which is part of a larger national infrastructure drive, is focused on acquiring and deploying more than 100 pieces of heavy road construction equipment, sometimes known as “yellow machines.” However, the conversation was dominated by concerns about preparation, budgeting, and logistics.
The reported US$51 million budget is at the center of the confusion. When asked to provide a clear breakdown, the Executive Chairperson listed a number of cost components, such as workforce training, fuel storage facilities, equipment servicing hubs, road construction, and bridge development, but she was unable to provide a clear accounting.
He stated that approximately US$900,000 has been set up for facility renovation, and millions more are anticipated to be used for road construction, bridges, and rock-crushing machinery, according to Samukai. He claims that thousands of workers more than 1,100 operators and technicians will receive training and be gradually deployed.
However, when asked precisely how much will be spent in the first year of operations, his answers were disjointed, mentioning staggered expenditures and phased hiring without providing a precise amount. The head of Yellow Machines further raised concerns when he disclosed that the machines were offloaded in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, and are anticipated to be transported in smaller vessels rather than Liberia.
Significant logistical obstacles, such as flimsy bridges that cannot sustain large machinery, a lack of infrastructure for fuel storage and maintenance, and continuous evaluations of road conditions across the country, were also noted by him.
He claims that these difficulties have caused the anticipated operational schedule to be pushed back to late 2026, with full deployment anticipated during the upcoming dry season. Critics on the panel, however, did not hold back and publicly questioned why such a significant purchase was made without sufficient planning.
Some said, “You can’t bring machines into the country without storage, fuel, maintenance plans, or even roads to move them,” one participant argued. That’s a serious failure in planning.” But, Samukai defended the delays as part of a “strategic process,” emphasizing that infrastructure, including regional hubs across all 15 counties, must be built to support the machines before deployment.
Reported by: Prince Saah
