Monrovia, March 5, 2026 — Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County has sharply criticized the Liberian Senate for what he describes as “disturbing silence” over the controversial US$5.5 million housing project underway in Foya, the hometown of President Joseph Boakai.
The project, reportedly intended to host Heads of State from the Mano River Union (MRU), has drawn public scrutiny since revelations about its funding and approval came to light. Initial government denials were overturned when President Boakai, speaking on the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), confirmed the project’s existence. The President explained that he only learned of the initiative after construction had already begun, attributing its launch to former Minister of State Sylvester M. Grigsby.
Later clarifications from executive officials revealed that the project was financed by multiple State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs)—a figure lower than the US$10 million earlier rumored. But for Senator Chea, those explanations have done little to calm concerns about legality and transparency.
“The key question,” Chea argued, “is whether the use of SOE funds for a multimillion-dollar project was done in line with the law.” He emphasized that such expenditures should require clear legislative approval and comply with public procurement regulations, including competitive bidding and disclosure of financial details.
In January 2026, Chea submitted a formal communication to the Senate, calling for an immediate investigation into the Foya project’s funding sources and compliance with budgetary procedures. According to him, the request has gone unanswered.
Chea warned that ignoring the issue undermines the Legislature’s constitutional duty of oversight and erodes public trust in government institutions. “This is not about opposing development,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that every dollar spent by this government respects transparency, accountability, and Liberia’s financial laws.”
As the Foya construction continues, questions linger — not just about who ordered the project, but about whether the nation’s lawmakers are willing to ask the hard questions on behalf of the people they represent.
