By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – Minister of Commerce and Industry, Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh, is facing intense public scrutiny and accusations of potential conflict of interest and procurement fraud following reports that her ministry authorized a nearly US$429,000 expenditure for renovations at the Monrovia Industrial Park (MIP) just weeks before the close of the 2025 fiscal year.
Documents and internal correspondence obtained by FrontPageAfrica suggest the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) signed a resolution approving the large-scale contract, despite serious procedural and ethical questions now surrounding the deal.
The most damaging allegation centers on the contractor, Wreyou Construction Company. The Grand Bassa-based firm was awarded the contract despite reports linking it to the construction of an event center allegedly owned by Minister Dagoseh in the same county. This connection has immediately raised alarms about a potential abuse of public trust and a direct conflict of interest.
Further revelations indicate that the ministry may have violated public procurement regulations. Multiple ministry insiders confirmed that work at the Industrial Park began weeks before the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) granted formal authorization.
The PPCC’s formal approval reportedly did not come until October 31, 2025, strongly suggesting the MoCI commenced the costly project prematurely, an action strictly forbidden by procurement law.
Controversial Board Resolution
Sources familiar with the process disclosed that the PPCC initially rejected the MoCI’s request because the ministry failed to provide a valid Board Resolution, a key document required to govern the park’s operations.
Following this rejection, Minister Dagoseh allegedly convened a hurried board meeting on October 24 to secure the necessary approval. A resolution was reportedly signed by a small group of individuals described as loyal to the Minister.
However, the controversy deepened when several senior officials whose names appear on the resolution—including the Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Finance and Development Planning—publicly denied attending the meeting or authorizing anyone to sign on their behalf.
These high-profile denials have cast serious doubt on the authenticity of the resolution and the legitimacy of the entire procurement process.
The escalating scandal has prompted growing calls for an immediate and independent investigation. Critics argue that the development reflects a broader pattern of weak oversight, questionable governance, and potential misuse of public resources at the Commerce Ministry.
Civil society organizations and transparency advocates are now urging the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to intervene. They warn that failure to address the case promptly could severely undermine public confidence in government accountability.
As the controversy unfolds, Minister Dagoseh has yet to issue an official response to the severe allegations. Pressure continues to mount from both lawmakers and civil society for the administration to demonstrate its firm commitment to transparency and the rule of law.
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