Monrovia, Liberia – The Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), Julius Sele, has refuted claims that the organization is motivated by politics when carrying out development initiatives.
Julius Sele, the Executive Director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), has refuted claims that the organization is motivated by politics when carrying out development initiatives.
He made these comments in reaction to accusations made by Representatives Yekeh Kolubah of Montserrado County District 10 and Edward P. Flomo of District 13 that the agency promotes projects based on political ties.
He clarified that although the District 10 lawmaker did submit a project proposal, he also suggested a particular contractor to complete the work, which he claimed went against the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission’s bidding procedure, which calls for an open and competitive selection.
Sele asserted that despite the difference, LACE hired Yekeh Kolubah as a representative for the implementation, but the lawmaker refused to begin the procedure. pointing out that the legislator did not fulfill the legal prerequisites to start legislative initiatives in his district.
In response to Representative Edward P. Flomo’s allegations that the agency was purposefully ignoring projects in his area, the Executive Director recalled a formal letter that was addressed to the House of Representatives in March 2024.
The politician said in a recent radio debate that the House was distracted by a speakership dispute, which is why he did not submit his proposal.
The LACE Director, however, questioned the legitimacy of this defense, pointing out that even previous Speaker Fonati Kofa, who was facing political pressure at the time, was able to apply for projects in his constituency.
