Monrovia, Liberia – A group calling itself the Coalition of Youth and Students for Better Liberia (CYSBL) has referred to James Dorbor Jallah, the Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), as a “integrity icon” amid unrest in the country over the purported $96,000 car that the LRA allegedly purchased for Commerce Minister Amin Modad.
In an interview with reporters on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Monrovia, Israel T. Koffeh, Executive Director of CYSBL, stated that the leader of the LRA is among the nation’s finest public officials and that Jallah is a decent man.
“Hearing the public news between Commissioner Jallah and the Commerce Minister regarding the MEDTECH deal sounds discouraging, but we also stand with him (Jallah) in this difficult time,” he stated.
Calling for a dismissal or suspension is not appropriate, according to the Executive Director of CYSBL, who has urged the public and media to let due diligence take effect.
According to him, Commissioner Jallah is being criticized by people who are urging President Joseph N. Boakai to suspend or fire him. Using examples such as the Commissioner’s time at the University of Liberia, the PPCC, and the Ebola forms, Koffeh described how Liberians are aware of Commissioner Jallah’s honesty.
He clarified, that the LRA boss has always stood for honesty, responsibility, and openness. “We are requesting that the public refrain from making snap decisions and instead let due diligence do its work,” Koffeh said.
The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has stated that it did not buy a car for US$150,000, contrary to reports, in a release dated September 23, 2024.
Nonetheless, it certifies that the MOCI’s request for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund, made in early May 2024, was approved. This was made possible by the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS), which allowed the MOCI to acquire vehicles for its operations.
The organization stated that these cars are meant for use in trade-related operations in coordination with Customs. It is the MOCI that decides on the vehicle characteristics and how they are deployed within MOCI, not the LRA. Even greater public outrage over the issue resulted from this disclosure.
Additionally, according to Commerce Minister Modad, the car in question was bought for the Ministry of Commerce, and payments were made to the vendor directly; neither his ministry nor his personal accounts received any of the money.
“It has been wrongly reported that the car was acquired for $150,000, however it was not custom-made. Minister Modad stated, “Since I assumed office eight months ago, I have been driving my own cars, including an S-Class Mercedes, and I pay the gas and driver’s wages myself.
According to him, the pictures that are going viral and depict the car in issue “are in fact photos of former US President Trump’s vehicle.” In a statement on Monday, September 23, 2024, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) addressed the matter and made it clear that, contrary to what was previously claimed, it did not buy a car for $150,000 USD.
On the other hand, it certifies that the MOCI’s request for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund, made in early May 2024, was approved under the terms of the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract that it holds with MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) for the acquisition of vehicles to support the MOCI.
According to the organization, these cars are meant for use in trade-related tasks in conjunction with Customs. It is the MOCI, not the LRA, that decides the vehicle specs and how they are deployed inside MOCI. The public’s outrage over the subject increased after this discovery.
Reported by: Prince Saah
Contact: +231778239813
Email: saahprince119@gmail.com
