In a recent exchange of words, the former Finance Minister and now Gbarpolu County Senator-elect, Amara Konneh, responded vehemently to Finance Minister Samuel Tweah regarding the controversial HPX deal. Konneh accused Tweah of misleading the public and engaging in questionable fiscal and economic governance practices during his tenure.
The HPX Mess:
Konneh began by addressing what he called the “HPX mess.” He accused Tweah of attempting to divert attention from core fiscal and economic governance issues by spreading misinformation on social media. Konneh stated that no amount of diversions would absolve Tweah from the alleged irregularities surrounding the HPX deal.
Legal Framework of Concession Agreements:
The Senator-elect went on to provide a lesson in fiscal governance, emphasizing that only ratified concession agreements hold legal weight under Liberian laws. Konneh clarified that framework agreements, like the one with HPX, are essentially Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) outlining the commitment to negotiate a concession. Such agreements, according to Konneh, do not trigger the disbursement of funds to the government.
HPX Framework Agreement:
Konneh claimed to possess a copy of the Framework Agreement between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and HPX, asserting that it follows the same pattern as other framework agreements. He argued that without the disbursement of funds, the agreement is not legally binding. Konneh alleged that Tweah took $37 million from HPX and made the framework agreement legally binding, leading to potential legal consequences for Liberia.
Accusations of Illegal Measures:
Konneh accused Tweah of resorting to illegal measures multiple times, particularly mentioning the “harmonization” policy that purportedly caused civil servants to vote against Tweah’s boss. He claimed that Tweah took $37 million from HPX to cover budgetary shortfalls resulting from the alleged illegal policy.
Defamatory Accusations and Lack of Respect:
Addressing Tweah’s accusation that HPX might face congressional hearings, Konneh expressed concern about the Finance Minister’s apparent lack of respect for the Liberian legislative system. Konneh called for legislative hearings in Liberia, asserting that Tweah is “stuck” with the Liberian authorities.
Demand for Transparency:
In his closing statements, Konneh demanded transparency from Tweah. He insisted that the Finance Minister publish transaction records for the $7 million and $30 million taken from HPX. Konneh called for the disclosure of origin and destination account numbers with stamped Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) receipts. He dared Tweah to provide the public with all the facts surrounding the alleged fiscal irregularities.
Conclusion:
The exchange between Amara Konneh and Samuel Tweah sheds light on the contentious HPX deal and raises questions about fiscal governance during Tweah’s tenure. As Liberia awaits further developments, the call for transparency and accountability in financial matters becomes increasingly important for the nation’s reputation and the well-being of its citizens.