NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Joint Legislative Public Accounts Committee of the 55th Legislature has ordered the Ministry of Public Works to immediately halt all proceedings, including payments and contract amendments, involving East International Construction Company until the firm appears before the committee to respond to concerns raised in a General Auditing Commission (GAC) report on the ongoing expansion of the Roberts International Airport (RIA) road corridor.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The directive was issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, by Committee Chairman and Margibi County Representative Clarence Gahr during a public hearing following the repeated failure of East International to appear before the committee and answer questions arising from the audit findings.
Representative Gahr said companies and individuals involved in the execution of government contracts have a responsibility to make themselves available to respond to questions raised by the Auditor General and other relevant oversight institutions.
He warned that the committee would not overlook East International’s continued absence, stressing that the matter concerns public resources and the proper execution of government contracts.
“We want to send out this caveat that East International, excuse us, we don’t overlook it because it is a burden upon everyone that is generating government resources and spending government resources or executing government contracts should be made available to answer to questions raised by the Auditor General of the General Auditing Commission of Liberia,” Gahr said.
The Margibi County lawmaker said the obligation of contractors to respond to audit concerns is reinforced by Liberia’s Public Financial Management Law, which provides a framework for accountability in the management and expenditure of public funds.
According to Gahr, East International’s continued failure to appear before the committee is preventing the Liberian people from obtaining timely answers to questions surrounding the road project.
He said the company has requested 90 days before responding to the Auditor General’s report, a position the committee considers unacceptable.
“They are requesting for ninety days before responding to the Auditor General report. We think that is not good for the Liberian people,” Gahr said.
The committee chairman therefore instructed the Ministry of Public Works to suspend any discussions or actions involving payments, amendments or other changes to East International’s contract until the company appears before the committee and directly responds to the audit findings.
Gahr warned that allowing the contractor to proceed with amendments or other contractual arrangements before addressing the outstanding audit concerns could expose the Liberian government and taxpayers to additional risks.
“We are asking that any issue concerning payment or amendment to the contract should stop until they come to the committee face to face with the Auditor General,” he declared.
He further instructed the Ministry of Public Works to direct East International back to the Joint Public Accounts Committee if the company attempts to engage the ministry on matters concerning the contract.
“If they contacted Ministry of Public Works, please tell them that they should revert to the Joint Public Account Committee,” Gahr said.
The committee chairman emphasized that the directive is intended to protect public resources and ensure that government contractors are held accountable for the execution of contracts funded by the Liberian people.
He warned that if East International cannot satisfactorily respond to questions surrounding the execution of the RIA road contract, any attempt to amend the agreement could create additional risks for the government.
“So if they cannot answer to the execution of the road contract currently, any amendment to the contract they think that it causes risk to the Liberian people,” Gahr said.
He therefore issued a direct instruction to the Ministry of Public Works: “Stop where you are. Do not have any discussion with them. Tell them to revert to the committee.”
Hearing Postponed Again
The committee’s decision followed the second postponement of the public hearing, as several current and former officials failed to appear to answer questions related to the GAC audit.
The hearing was convened to examine concerns contained in an audit report submitted to the Legislature regarding the ongoing expansion of the RIA road corridor and the implementation of the government contract involving East International Construction Company.
The repeated failure of summoned officials and company representatives to attend has heightened concerns within the committee over compliance with legislative oversight.
The committee has issued a final warning to current and former officials of the Liberia Airport Authority and the Ministry of Public Works, as well as representatives of East International, ordering them to appear at the next hearing.
The committee said those who continue to disregard its summons could face further legislative action, including possible referral for prosecution.
The latest directive underscores growing scrutiny by the Legislature of government contracts and the use of public funds, particularly projects involving major infrastructure development.
For the Public Accounts Committee, the issue extends beyond East International and the RIA road project, with Gahr making clear that companies executing government contracts must be prepared to account for their activities whenever concerns are raised by the country’s public financial oversight institutions.
The committee is expected to reconvene the hearing with the expectation that the relevant current and former government officials, along with representatives of East International Construction Company, will appear and respond to the audit findings.
Until then, the Ministry of Public Works has been instructed to suspend any payment-related proceedings, contract amendments or other discussions with East International concerning the disputed road project.
