By By: Alphanso G. Kalama;
Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Bomi County Senator and Co-chair on Public Works, Edwin Melvin Snowe, has accused Public Works Minister Roland Giddings and other executive officials of violating the national budget law by procuring and using vehicles worth more than the legally approved ceiling of US$45,000.
Speaking during a heated session Tuesday, Senator Snowe openly challenged Minister Giddings to produce the procurement documents for his official vehicle, claiming it exceeds the legal limit. According to Snowe, the budget law only permits the President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Senate Pro-Tempore, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker to operate vehicles valued above US$45,000.
“Let the Minister of Public Works come here tomorrow morning and show us his procurement order for the $45K car he rides — I will resign from the Liberian Senate. All of them are riding over $45,000 cars,” Snowe declared.
The Senator accused executive officials of deliberately breaching the law while shifting blame onto legislators. He argued that such actions are designed to incite public resentment toward lawmakers, even though the executive is equally complicit in overspending on luxury vehicles.
Despite the strong challenge, the Ministry of Public Works has remained silent on the allegations. The silence raises serious concerns about the Boakai-Koung administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability — principles on which it campaigned and came to power.
