Former Finance Minister and now Gbarpolu County Senator-elect, Amara Konneh, has responded to Samuel Tweah’s recent clarification on the controversial HPX payment, expressing deep concern over what appears to be an admission of illegality. In a statement, Konneh highlighted Tweah’s confirmation that their action was, indeed, illegal, and that the government would refund HPX if a concession deal was not reached, potentially exposing Liberia to lawsuits.
In his response, Konneh pointed out the lack of support for such actions in Liberian law, specifically noting the absence of endorsement in the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act or the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Act. The former Finance Minister raised eyebrows by stating that Tweah had essentially accepted money for a future contract, a practice that lacks legal foundation in Liberia.
Konneh urged a closer examination of Tweah’s statements, indicating that the screenshots of his responses tell a compelling story. The admission, as per Konneh’s interpretation, raises questions about the legality of the entire transaction and the potential consequences for Liberia.
The crux of the matter, according to Konneh, lies in the Framework Agreement signed by the Chairman of the National Investment Commission (NIC), the Ministers of Finance, Justice, and Lands, Mines & Energy. Konneh, who claims to possess a copy of the agreement, asserted that it did not grant HPX rights to any government assets. Instead, it outlined a roadmap to a concession agreement, a process that necessitates legislative ratification to be considered valid under Liberian laws.
Konneh emphasized that taking money from HPX for signing a mere framework agreement, essentially a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), was a questionable decision. He stressed that only a ratified concession agreement should be deemed valid, and any financial transactions preceding this approval may be considered irregular.
The former Finance Minister promised to delve deeper into the specifics of the so-called framework agreement in subsequent statements, shedding light on what he believes to be legal discrepancies in the process.
In a final plea, Konneh urged the 54th Legislature to conduct hearings into this transaction, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in government dealings. The call for legislative scrutiny reflects growing concerns over the potential legal and financial ramifications of the HPX payment, further emphasizing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.