By Jamesetta D Williams
Monrovia -The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) is facing growing public scrutiny following its decision to close an investigation into an alleged road construction fraud in Gbarpolu County without prosecution, prompting questions from senior government officials and citizens about accountability in Liberia’s anti-corruption fight.
The controversy centers on a chip seal road project in Bopolu City, which was reportedly funded by the Government of Liberia but allegedly never executed, despite official records indicating that the project had been completed and fully paid for.
The issue gained renewed attention after the Vice President for Operations of the National Oil Company of Liberia, Boakai Jaleiba, publicly questioned the LACC’s decision to conclude the case without filing charges or recovering public funds.
According to allegations surrounding the project, residents of Gbarpolu County were expecting the long-promised road construction to improve connectivity and access to essential services in one of Liberia’s most underdeveloped regions.
However, community accounts and reports suggest that no visible paving work was ever carried out.
Despite this, documents allegedly signed by officials from the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning reportedly certified the project as completed, leading to the release of final payments to contractors.
Current officials at the Ministry of Public Works are said to have submitted a package of evidence to the LACC, including contracts, payment records, photographs, video materials, and testimonies from residents who insist the project existed only on paper.
More than two years after the case was handed over to the anti-graft body, the LACC’s official records reportedly now list the investigation as “concluded,” with no public announcement of indictments, prosecutions, or recovery of funds.
The decision has sparked criticism from citizens and governance advocates, who argue that the closure of the case without visible accountability raises serious concerns about the effectiveness and independence of Liberia’s anti-corruption institutions.
The matter has also drawn political attention due to allegations linking the case to a former Minister of Public Works, who reportedly signed off on the completion documents. The former minister is also said to be married to a sitting lawmaker representing Gbarpolu County.
Critics argue that the handling of the case risks undermining public confidence in anti-corruption efforts, particularly in communities like Gbarpolu, where residents continue to face poor infrastructure and limited government services.
Residents of Bopolu maintain that the road remains in its original condition, raising further questions about how public funds intended for development may have been disbursed without tangible results.
For many citizens, the controversy extends beyond a single infrastructure project, becoming a broader test of whether Liberia’s anti-corruption institutions are willing and able to pursue accountability against powerful individuals accused of misusing public resources.
The LACC has not yet issued a detailed public explanation regarding the decision to close the investigation.
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