The New Dawn Liberia | Truly Independent

Former General Services Agency (GSA) Director Alphonso Gaye has denied reports that he did not execute due diligence in the renovation project of the Greeneville Presidential Palace for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s visit to Sinoe County in 2011 as part of a nationwide tour.

The former Deputy Minister of State Pearine Parkinson had reportedly  accused honorable Gaye, then GSA Director of not following due diligence on the renovation works of the presidential palace in Greeneville. Madam Parkinson could not be reached for clarification by this paper on the story because she is said to be out of the country currently.

But the media reported that the former GSA boss now Senator of Grand Gedeh County, wrote the Building Materials Center (BMC) on March 1, 2011, authorizing building materials for the renovation works in keeping with the approved Bill of Quantities (BOQ). The BOQ requested materials for scaffolding, upholstery, tiles, masonry, painting, as well as water tower and generator room.

It was also reported that a letter written to the BMC on April 22, 2011, by Gaye confirmed delivery of the materials and tools at a value of US$165,020 with assurance that the “GSA will make full representation and encourage the Ministry of State to make immediate payment to BMC to liquidate this financial transaction.”

But nearly a year to this acknowledgement, the BMC said it’s yet to receive payment. However, Gaye has blamed the former Deputy Minister of State, now GSA Director General Mrs. Pearine Parkinson for the delay in payment.

He said prior to his appointment as GSA boss, the Ministry of State mandated the GSA to conduct a complete assessment of the Greeneville Presidential Palace for renovation, something the Senator said was done and submitted to Mrs. Parkinson’s office.

“Mrs. Parkinson, who is not always satisfied with the result of anything in which she does not participate in, rejected the result of the assessment and the estimation [it] contained,” he noted.

He said regrettably, Mrs. Parkinson issued a check for LD140, 000.00 and indicated that subsequent payments were in process, and that the initial amount was intended for the technical crew to get on the ground in Greeneville to commerce works on the building.

“Imagine a project, which has the total cost of US$197,000.00 (US$165 in materials and tools) and (US$32,000.00) for administrative cost, covering labor, fuel, transportation, food and sub-contractors, among others was given only LD140, 000.00 to start,” he explained.