By James T. Brooks
In a rare and striking display of political alignment, almost the entire House of Representatives transitioned on Thursday from the Freeport of Monrovia to the Executive Mansion to publicly endorse President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s “Yellow Machines” initiative. This fleet of 285 earth-moving machines, intended to revive Liberia’s struggling road network, has moved from a point of high controversy to a centerpiece of legislative unity. The lawmakers’ procession followed a plenary resolution declaring February 26, 2026, as “National Yellow Machines Day,” a symbolic gesture adopted after members inspected the first major consignment of 137 heavy-duty units that recently docked at the Freeport.
Standing before the President, Deputy Speaker Thomas Fallah delivered what amounted to a total institutional affirmation of the executive’s agenda. He noted that approximately 90% to 95% of the House members, under the leadership of the Speaker, have realized the administration is on the right path. Fallah emphasized that the gathering was a demonstration of the government’s support in keeping with their roles as lawmakers.
The day’s events unfolded in carefully managed stages, beginning on Capitol Hill, where the House officially recognized the arrival of the first 137 machines. This consignment, representing nearly half of the promised fleet, includes graders, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and compactors. Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon led the delegation to the Freeport to see the machinery firsthand, where many lawmakers arrived dressed in yellow attire to mirror the equipment’s bright paint.
Speaker Koon was quick to reject suggestions that the display was merely political choreography, asserting that the machines belonged to the Liberian people rather than any political faction. President Boakai, in turn, credited the Legislature for enabling the initiative, stating that the project’s success was a direct result of their support and approval. He reiterated that improved road connectivity remains the primary key to unlocking agricultural productivity and ensuring that citizens in all counties can access markets, schools, and health facilities.
This public embrace marks a dramatic shift for the Yellow Machines project, which first ignited a firestorm of criticism in May 2024. At that time, the announcement of 285 machines procured under a “Special Presidential Project” triggered immediate backlash regarding executive overreach and opaque procurement practices. Critics and civil society groups previously raised alarms about compliance with Article 34(d) of the Constitution, which vests borrowing authority in the Legislature, and questioned the identity of the suppliers and the terms of the financing.
While the government initially described the arrangement as a “gentleman’s agreement,” the project has since been significantly restructured. Administration officials now state that projected costs were successfully renegotiated from an estimated $79 million down to approximately $22 million over a three-year payment structure. To ensure accountability, the President established a Yellow Machines Board of Authority, led by former Defense Minister Brownie J. Samukai, to oversee the receipt, deployment, and maintenance of the entire fleet.
The current plan involves the creation of 19 operational hubs nationwide, equipped with fuel depots and workshops to prevent misuse and ensure the machines remain functional year-round. Larger counties like Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, and Lofa are slated to receive two sets of equipment, while others will receive one. Currently, the machines are being staged in Careysburg for assembly and calibration before they are distributed across the country.
Liberia’s road network has long been identified by development partners as a major structural bottleneck to economic growth, particularly during the rainy season when primary and feeder roads often become impassable. If implemented effectively, this fleet could significantly reduce the government’s reliance on expensive private contractors and shorten response times for road rehabilitation. However, as lawmakers stood in coordinated yellow attire at the Executive Mansion, the event also reignited debates about the evolution of the Legislature’s constitutional role—moving from a body that once demanded strict procurement audits to one that has now fully championed the President’s vision.