Boakai Warns Officials Against Bypassing Procurement Rules

**President Boakai Urges Strict Adherence to Procurement Rules at Cabinet Meeting**

Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. addressed government officials on Thursday, August 28, 2026, warning against attempts to circumvent Liberia’s public procurement regulations. Speaking at the opening of the 24th Cabinet meeting, which was themed “Value for Money; Maximizing Fiscal Space through System Efficiency and Government Asset Security,” the president emphasized that compliance with established procedures is essential for safeguarding state resources, promoting fair competition, and preventing favoritism in the award of contracts.

President Boakai acknowledged that procurement processes can be “lengthy and frustrating,” particularly when agencies require goods and services promptly. However, he cautioned that such frustrations do not justify bypassing the safeguards embedded in the country’s procurement framework. “Sometimes people get frustrated about all what you have to do to go through to buy this and buy. 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’re talking about, you will not have them,” he said.

The president framed procurement not merely as a bureaucratic requirement but as a critical mechanism for accountability and equitable market participation. “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,” Boakai explained.

Boakai warned that any perception that government contracts are awarded to individuals or firms with personal connections to public officials undermines transparency. He called for a procurement system that provides equal opportunities for qualified Liberians and businesses, stating, “To do that in a competing 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.”

The president also highlighted that participation in national development extends beyond public employment. “Participation in the government doesn’t mean that everybody will work with the government, but you can serve, you can provide goods and services,” he noted.

Boakai’s remarks come amid ongoing calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. He warned that ignoring or poorly implementing procurement rules could erode public confidence and limit opportunities for legitimate businesses. “When procurement rules are ignored or poorly implemented, the consequences can extend beyond individual transactions, potentially undermining public confidence in government institutions and limiting opportunities for legitimate businesses,” he said.

In addition to the procurement discussion, President Boakai commended Cabinet members for their service, acknowledging that officials often receive attention only when mistakes occur. “People wait for the mistake you make, but we’re in leadership, we watch and listen. We want to appreciate you very much,” he told the assembled ministers before formally opening the meeting.

The 24th Cabinet meeting addressed a range of issues, including concessions, government asset security, system efficiency, and other matters related to the effective management of public resources and delivery of services. The president’s emphasis on strict procurement compliance aligns with his administration’s broader focus on fiscal discipline, accountability, and the efficient use of limited fiscal space.

Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: Liberian Observer