Allegation of procurement fraud, financials improprieties and acts of corruption involving officials of the National Road Fund (NRF) in the amount of US$1,110,000

Infrastructure Liberia Anti Corruption Commission

Case Details

Case Number: 00565

Start Date: N/A

Forms of Corruption: Procurement Irregularities, Fraud

Level of Government: National

Financial Impact

Amount Identified (USD): $1,110,000.00

Documents

NRF Download File

Nature of Case

Case Summary

The LACC initiated an investigation into allegations of Financial Improprieties, Procurement Fraud, Misuse of Public Money, and Acts of Corruption allegedly carried out by the administration of the National Road Funds(NRF) under the leadership of Hon. Joseta Neufville-Wento ,Manager of the NRF. Details of the allegation reveal that in 2023 the Administration of the NRF entered into a contract valued at U$160,000 with a company called Asian Liberia Investment Inc. The purpose of the contract was the purchase and supply of 1,000 pieces of Solar Lamps and Poles to Grand Cape Mount County. It is alleged that Madam Wento conspired with the company and purchased only 700 pieces of the solar lamps and poles and delivered them to one Idrissa Massalay rather than to the County Authorities, which was allegedly converted as his (Massalay) personal property and the remainder of the poles and solar lamps cannot be accounted for. The allegation further reveal that Mrs. Wento diverted U$410,000 intended for constructing the Madina-Cape Mount Highway to a bogus company called "BLINCO", under the pretext of implementing a road construction project, when in fact the project was never implemented and the money cannot be accounted for. It is further alleged that Mrs. Wento unilaterally instructed the comptroller to pay the amount of LRD 277,619.00 and USD1400.00 from the NRF's coffers in favor of Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, a non-employee of the NRF, representing Bar and License fee for Cllr. Gbala.