MONROVIA, November 12, 2026 — Brownie J. Samukai Jr., head of Liberia’s Yellow Machines Program is yet to give up explaining and at the same time clarifying claims that some of the machines did not make it to their designated counties.
After appearances on local radio stations, the former Defense Minister on Thursday dismissed claims that some road construction equipment allocated to Sinoe County is missing or has been diverted to other counties.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing in Monrovia, Samukai maintained that Sinoe County has received its full allocation, except for a fuel tanker and a low-bed trailer temporarily being used to support the nationwide deployment exercise.
His clarification followed social media allegations that the government was transferring equipment from Sinoe, Nimba, Bomi and Grand Kru counties to increase the number of machines displayed during deployment activities in Lofa County.
Samukai explained that the movement of equipment between counties is part of the government’s deployment strategy and should not be interpreted as diversion or disappearance.
“So, whatever machines you saw was just the beginning of the delivery,” he said.
According to him, some equipment is temporarily reassigned to facilitate transportation and deployment, meaning the number of machines physically present in a county may differ from its official allocation at a particular time.
Sinoe County received its batch of earthmoving equipment in Greenville on October 13, 2026, following delays attributed to poor road conditions along the Grand Gedeh-Sinoe corridor.
Samukai assured residents that the fuel tanker and low-bed trailer would be returned to Sinoe upon completion of their temporary assignments.
He also addressed similar concerns in Lofa County, where residents questioned why only 26 of the 30 announced machines were present.
According to him, the remaining four machines were temporarily supporting deployment activities elsewhere, while similar arrangements had been made in Bong County.
“This does not mean the machines are missing,” Samukai emphasized.
The Yellow Machines Programme comprises 285 pieces of heavy-duty equipment intended to improve road infrastructure nationwide.
The first shipment of 137 machines arrived in February 2026, with the remaining equipment delivered subsequently.
Samukai disclosed that the government has established equipment hubs across the country for storage, maintenance and deployment.
He said measures are also being introduced to monitor equipment movement, prevent misuse and ensure that the machines are utilized for road rehabilitation and improved rural connectivity.
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