President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has taken a major administrative step toward strengthening Liberia’s infrastructure drive with the creation of the Yellow Machines Board of Authority (YMBOA), a body tasked with overseeing the management and use of government-owned heavy-duty equipment.
Former Minister of National Defense, Brownie J. Samukai, has been appointed Executive Chairperson of the YMBOA’s Coordinating Committee, placing him at the center of the government’s plan to ensure accountability and efficiency in the deployment of the much-anticipated fleet of yellow machines.
The move comes ahead of the expected arrival of the first shipment of 285 earth-moving machines procured by the Government of Liberia from China. The equipment is intended to support large-scale road construction and other key infrastructure projects across the country.
Beyond Samukai’s leadership, the Board brings together several critical government institutions, including the Ministries of Public Works; Finance and Development Planning; National Defense; and Local Government, along with the General Services Agency (GSA). A representative of the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC) will serve as Secretary to the Board.
Under its mandate, the YMBOA will function as the central authority responsible for the receipt, deployment, cost control, storage, operation, and maintenance of the yellow machines. The Board is also charged with developing a strong policy and management framework to ensure the equipment is used efficiently and maintained to deliver long-term value.
President Boakai has also constituted the Special Presidential Project Coordinating Committee (SPPCC), naming Samukai as Executive Chairperson and National Coordinator. The Committee includes Roger S.W.Y. Domah as Deputy Coordinator for Administration, St. Jerome Larbelee as Deputy Coordinator for Operations and Technical Services, Emmanuel Monlue as Assistant Coordinator for Policy and General Services, and Ibrahim R. Kiazolu as Comptroller. Additional support staff are expected to be appointed to strengthen the Committee’s operations.
Working under the guidance of the YMBOA, the SPPCC will manage the day-to-day coordination, maintenance, and operation of the machines as a Special Presidential Project. The Committee is required to collaborate closely with all government agencies represented on the Board.
One of the SPPCC’s key responsibilities is the preparation of a National Deployment Plan, which must be submitted to the YMBOA for approval. Once approved, the Committee is mandated to implement the plan and provide monthly reports detailing equipment usage, condition, and overall operational status. A strict “maintenance-first” policy has been emphasized to extend the lifespan of the machines and ensure value for public funds.
Government officials have confirmed that the first batch of the equipment has already been shipped from China, with arrival in Monrovia projected for late March 2026. Additional consignments are expected to follow shortly thereafter.
The deployment of these machines is widely seen as a significant milestone in the Boakai administration’s infrastructure agenda, signaling a renewed push toward road connectivity, public works expansion, and broader national development.
