NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL – Augustine Chea, Senator of Sinoe County, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the Legislature’s apparent inaction regarding a controversial multi-unit housing project in Foya, the hometown of Joseph Boakai.
Senator Chea warned that bypassing proper legal and legislative procedures in executing major government projects could undermine public trust and weaken institutional accountability.
By: Sampson W. Weah sampsonweah7@gmail.com
“What we are seeing is a test of whether our institutions still uphold the rule of law,” Senator Chea said.
The Foya housing project, which reportedly began quietly, has been surrounded by conflicting statements and legal questions. Initially, senior government officials denied knowledge of the project, but later provided varying explanations as details emerged.
President Boakai later confirmed during an interview with Liberia Broadcasting System that the facility is intended to host meetings of leaders from the Mano River Union. The President said he became aware of the project only after construction had begun and attributed its initiation to the late Minister of State, Sylvester M. Grigsby.
Government sources have since clarified that the project cost approximately US$5.5 million, not the previously speculated US$10 million, and that the funding came from several State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) at the request of the late minister.
Despite the clarification, Senator Chea said the explanations fail to address key legal and procedural concerns.
“The Public Financial Management Act is clear: SOEs are not private wallets for executive projects,” he said. “Their resources cannot be spent without legislative approval and inclusion in the national budget.”
Chea also argued that the reported absence of a competitive procurement process could constitute a violation of the Public Procurement and Concessions Act, which requires transparency, fairness, and value for money in public contracting.
“A project of this magnitude cannot be awarded in secrecy, without bidding, and without public disclosure,” the senator added.
He stressed that his concerns are not directed at the development itself but rather at the procedures used in authorizing and financing the project.
“This is not about opposing development in Foya,” Chea explained. “It is about whether the Executive Branch can lawfully authorize, fund, and execute major projects outside the law.”
The senator disclosed that on January 12, 2026, he submitted a formal communication to the Senate President Pro Tempore requesting a probe into the project.
According to him, the proposed investigation sought to determine whether the project was properly budgeted and appropriated, whether procurement laws were followed, whether SOE funds were lawfully used, and whether any financial management statutes were violated.
However, Chea said the communication, along with three other submissions he previously made on issues of executive accountability, has yet to be placed on the Senate’s agenda.
“When such communications are ignored, it sends a troubling signal,” he said. “It suggests the Legislature may be unwilling to scrutinize executive conduct.”
The senator warned that continued silence from lawmakers could create the impression that the Legislature is shielding the Executive from scrutiny.
“Accountability may be delayed, but it cannot be avoided forever,” Chea said. “The board members and senior managers of the SOEs alleged to have financed this project, along with other officials involved, will be held accountable. They will not be shielded—not even by presidential immunity.”
