Mark B. Jabateh sparks controversy with fake road equipment photos, Liberians demand government accountability.
Monrovia, Liberia – April 5, 2025
Liberians woke up to yet another scandal shaking the very foundation of public trust in the Boakai-led administration. At the center of it is Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs, Mark B. Jabateh, who is now under fire for deliberately misleading the Liberian people with fake photos of road equipment he falsely claimed were brought into the country to enhance infrastructure development.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, Jabateh proudly announced the arrival of “new yellow machines” to aid in road connectivity efforts, one of Liberia’s longest-standing development struggles since 1847. But the victory was short-lived.
Upon closer inspection, several independent journalists and online investigators quickly exposed the images as not only outdated but not even from Liberia. The photos, complete with visible government logos from Burkina Faso, were traced to a March 2025 equipment procurement announcement made by Burkina Faso’s President. The multi-million-dollar equipment deal, totaling US$21.7 million, was meant solely for Burkina Faso’s food security and road access programs, not for Liberia.
Jabateh’s post, now flagged as disinformation, showcased 10 loaders, 10 excavators, 10 levelers, 33 compactors, 25 bulldozers, along with dump trucks, concrete mixers, and water tankers, all equipment that does not exist in Liberia’s current road fleet.
This incident isn’t just a blunder, it’s a slap in the face to Liberians who have waited decades for genuine road development. Every government since 1847 has promised roads, but with little to show. In a country where road infrastructure remains one of the biggest barriers to progress, the deliberate use of fake information by a government official is being called an insult to the intelligence of over five million citizens.
The machines Mark Jabateh claimed are for Liberia.
To make matters worse, Jabateh reportedly referred to citizens as “People from Yakpawolo Village” in a tone-deaf attempt to make political jabs, rather than take accountability. His actions have sparked public outrage, with demands for an immediate investigation and possible disciplinary action.
“Where are these yellow machines?” one citizen asked. “Where are they parked? Which county are they working in? Don’t lie to us and think we won’t find out.”
Social media has exploded with criticism, and citizens are now turning their eyes to President Joseph Boakai, demanding that he address the controversy.
“This is not just political pettiness, this is deception,” said one protester in Monrovia. “We voted for transparency. Not Photoshop.”
As the government enters its second year, citizens are increasingly frustrated with what they describe as “PR gimmicks over real progress.” This scandal has only heightened concerns about fake narratives being used to cover up incompetence, while real development remains stagnant.
The silence from the Executive Mansion is deafening. Will President Boakai confront this issue head-on, or will he allow it to quietly die down?
Liberians are watching, waiting, and demanding the truth. In a country still scarred by corruption and broken promises, this is not just another political slip, it’s a test of leadership and integrity.