Verdict: Misleading, the LWSC project was approved by the PPCC.
Full Text: Kollie posted on February 27, 2025, making several allegations.
He alleged that the mini-water project that was recently dedicated in Gbarpolu did not follow competitive bidding processes, adding that the project threshold was over $250,000, and that the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) was used to implement the project.
The post raises specific allegations about procurement procedures that would require official documentation to substantiate or refute.
It generated significant social media engagement: 476 reactions, 505 comments, and 29 shares as of the time of this check.
LWSC Legal Mandate is to, among other things, authorize the construction, installation, establishment, operation, and management of water and sewerage facilities across Liberia. Responsible for water supply infrastructure and a specific contract: "Exploration drilling of borehole water wells and construction of gravity water supply," as was seen in Bopolu, Gbarpolu County.
As part of this mandate, the corporation recently constructed a mini water project in Gbarpolu County to supply clean and safe drinking water to citizens and residents in that county.
Verification: To authenticate the information, TSM contacted Nathan N. Bengu, Director of Communication at the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC).
As Liberia's procurement regulatory body, PPCC is responsible for ensuring all government agencies comply with established procurement laws and providing the necessary approvals for projects that meet legal requirements.
Bengu confirmed that the water project in Bopulo, Gbarpolu County, had met the commission’s approval, contrary to Kollie’s claim.
“As regard the LWSC water project in Gbarpolo County, the approval was made by PPCC,” Bengu said.
The LWSC, when contacted, said it awarded a critical water infrastructure project in Gbarpolu County to Tengda Construction Co. Ltd. after a competitive bidding process that saw two companies compete for the US$237,120 contract.
According to LWSC procurement documents, six companies were initially invited to bid on the project for exploring and drilling borehole water wells and constructing a gravity water supply scheme on September 10, 2024.
By the October 1, 2024 submission deadline, only two companies—Tarhini Construction Company and Tengda Construction Co. Ltd.—submitted formal bids.
A specialized bid evaluation panel comprised of technical experts from various LWSC departments meticulously reviewed the submissions. Tengda Construction's bid of US$237,120 was ultimately selected as the most responsive, meeting both technical and financial requirements.
Tarhini Construction, which submitted a slightly higher bid of US$249,941.14, was disqualified after the panel determined their proposal was not technically compliant.
The project, executed under the PPCC Act of 2010, represents a significant investment in improving water infrastructure in Gbarpolu County, according to the corporation.
LWSC officials stated that the procurement process was transparent and followed all required legal protocols, ensuring the most qualified contractor was selected for this critical community development project.
We checked the PPCC website to establish if the company is registered and this is what we found.
We contacted the company, who confirmed that they renew the tax clearance before its expiration date. but however declined to share the copy of the renewed document.
Additionally, the company has implemented several projects, which include: 1. Express Water line from Fish Market to Central Monrovia
Conclusion: The LWSC procurement committee received only two submissions by October 1, 2024, following PPCC Act procedures. Tengda Construction was the most responsive bidder, despite Tarhini Construction's technical shortcomings, contradicting Kollie's claim that the LWSC skipped the bidding process.
