MONROVIA, Liberia – The Executive Chairperson and National Coordinator of the Special Presidential Projects Coordination Committee on the “Yellow Machines,” Brownie J. Samukai, has strongly rejected claims that the first batch of heavy-duty road equipment recently delivered to Liberia are refurbished or used machines.
Appearing Sunday on One-on-One with the CEO on Spoon FM, hosted by Stanton A. Witherspoon, Samukai addressed mounting public skepticism surrounding the arrival of the machines at the Freeport of Monrovia.
“All of them are brand new. Completely brand new,” Samukai declared during the live broadcast. “These machines were bought through a process of integrity. On this one, you can’t catch us.”
Clarifies Controversy Over “Old Machines”
The controversy erupted after images circulated on social media showing what appeared to be used equipment aboard the same vessel that transported Liberia’s consignment from China.
Samukai acknowledged that other private consignments — including used machinery — were on the ship but stressed that none belonged to the Liberian government.
“The supplier paid for space on a vessel coming to Liberia. There were other customers with goods on the same ship. We offloaded our brand-new machines,” he explained.
He further clarified that some of the old flatbeds seen transporting the equipment from the port were locally rented trucks used due to logistical constraints.
According to him, Liberia’s shipment included only one tractor head and 19 low beds in the first consignment, necessitating additional rentals from the local trucking union.
“One of those rented trucks broke down on the road, and people began spreading misinformation,” he said. “That had nothing to do with the machines we brought in.”
137 Machines Delivered, 168 More En Route
Samukai confirmed that 137 units arrived in the first shipment out of a total package of 305 pieces of equipment — including 285 heavy-duty construction machines and 20 pickup trucks.
The first batch includes:
- 19 bulldozers
- 19 excavators
- 19 fuel tankers
- 19 water tankers
- 19 service trucks
- 19 low beds
- 20 pickups
- 1 compactor
- 1 backhoe
- 1 tractor head
He announced that an additional 168 units are already en route from China and are expected to arrive by late March or early April.
US$22 Million Package
Samukai disclosed that the entire procurement cost approximately US$22 million, a figure that includes:
- Spare parts for two years
- Four servicing periods
- Training support
- Technical assistance from factory experts
“The quality of these machines is excellent,” he said. “Their durability will depend on our maintenance culture and how responsibly we manage them.”
GPS Tracking and Strict Hiring Standards
Responding to concerns about Liberia’s past record of mismanaging public assets, Samukai revealed that all machines will be equipped with GPS tracking systems to monitor their location and usage.
“Each and every one of those machines will form part of a GPS tracking system,” he stated. “We will know where they are and when maintenance is due.”
He also announced that operators will be recruited soon through a competitive and certified process, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works.
“The machines will not be operated upon by anyone who is not certified,” he emphasized. “We will test and orient every operator before deployment.”
A Presidential Road Agenda
Samukai described the Yellow Machines initiative as a flagship program aligned with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s long-standing campaign promise centered on road connectivity.
“The President said roads, roads, and roads,” Samukai noted. “This is about opening access — from villages to towns, from farms to markets, from communities to hospitals.”
According to him, the Special Presidential Project is intended to complement — not replace — existing road construction efforts under the Ministry of Public Works.
Budget Questions and Oversight
The former Defense Minister also addressed questions about funding. He confirmed that approximately US$900,000 in immediate funding was allocated for shipping, clearing, and temporary logistical needs, while a full operational budget proposal has been drafted but not yet approved by the project’s governing board.
“How can I bring something to a board agenda and announce it publicly before approval?” he asked when pressed to disclose the proposed operational figure.
Commitment to Transparency
Despite the heated exchanges with some panelists, Samukai welcomed media scrutiny and indicated that journalists would be given opportunities to inspect the machines at designated sites once deployment preparations are complete.
“The machines are here. Let the public come and see,” he said. He disclosed that the machines will begin operating by October 2026 by then they would have trained a little over 1000 operators and support staff to operate the machines.
As public debate continues, the success of the Yellow Machines initiative may ultimately be judged not by controversy at the port, but by whether the equipment delivers visible, lasting improvements to Liberia’s long-neglected road network.
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