Some outgoing officials of government in possession of vehicles belonging to government are said to be holding on the vehicles, while others are cooperating in handing over the vehicles.
Ahead of the end of her 12 years reign, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recently mandated all officials in possession of government vehicles to immediately turn them over said for use and following the takeover ceremony.
But the pace of hand over has been rather slow, prompting the General Services Agency (GSA) to launch a vigorous operation to retrieve the vehicles and secure other government assets.
Atty. Cole Bangarlu, the Deputy Director General of GSA told this Reporter at the weekend that his agency is stepping up efforts to enforce the presidential mandate by taking possession of all government vehicles in possession of officials.
According to Bangarlu, the mandate is intended to enable a smooth holding of the January 22, 2018 inauguration of President-elect, Senator George Weah’s CDC- led government.
“As you may be aware there are several foreign dignitaries are coming into the country for the inauguration as such government does not have money to rent vehicles for said purpose. Therefore, all those in possession of government vehicles have been ordered to turn over vehicles in their possession,” the Deputy GSA Director General said.
Bangarlu said GSA has in recent days retrieved and parked some of government vehicles, while there are some government officials who are not in full compliance.
“The GSA, with the support of the police, is ensuring that all those in possession of government vehicles comply with the mandate to turn over all vehicles,” the Deputy GSA boss pointed out.
He singled out the Health Ministry officials for complying with the mandate, warning officials from other government ministries and parastatals who are in possession of state-owned vehicles would comply without delay.
“Government will not relent in ensuring that all of its vehicles are packed and used for the official turning over program and also be used by the incoming government,” the GSA Deputy Director General warned.
Over the weekend, a number of seizures of vehicles were made by GSA authorities who mounted inspection points on major streets.
Last Friday evening, our Reporter witnessed a scene at the Parker Paint police checkpoint in the Paynesville suburb of Monrovia, when security forces stopped a government marked vehicle and told all the occupants to dis-embark and the vehicle was later impounded.
Over the past few months, there have been reports in the Liberian media that some officials in possession of government vehicles were removing official license plates and repainting vehicles at various local garages.
The attitude of many government functionaries towards its vehicles and other assets has been one of indifference and sluggish.
Back in 2016, GSA Director General Mary Broh told the media that empirical data available to the GSA showed that the use of government vehicles and other mobile equipment is completely out of control.
And Madam Broh said their support cost was significantly more than the benefit received by the Government of Liberia.
She said this prompted the GSA to introduce the fleet management policy. Report by Lewis Konoe