In a shocking revelation, former Finance Minister and Gbarpolu County Senator-elect, Amara Konneh, has exposed what appears to be a clandestine financial transaction between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and High Power Exploration Incorporated (HPX). The disclosure, made during a press conference, has raised serious concerns about the legality of the dealings and the conduct of Finance Minister Samuel Tweah.
The Secret Deal Unveiled
During the press conference, Minister Samuel Tweah admitted that HPX had paid a substantial sum of $37 million to the GOL since 2019 for fiscal operations. The funds were reportedly deposited into the Consolidated Account at the Central Bank of Liberia, all without a ratified concession agreement by the Legislature. This revelation has left the Liberian public in the dark about the GOL-AML-HPX deal, as it was shrouded in secrecy.
HPX and the Iron Ore Mining Operation
HPX, a company licensed to mine iron ore in Guinea, near the Liberia-Guinea border in Nimba County, sought to use the port of Buchanan for shipping its iron ore. However, to achieve this, the company required a concession agreement allowing it to use the railroad from Yekepa to Buchanan, currently under the control of Arcelor Mittal (AML). Negotiations among AML, HPX, and the Government were ongoing when the Finance Minister admitted to receiving payments from HPX.
Legal Violations and Unanswered Questions
The legality of the financial transactions has come under scrutiny, as it appears to violate key Liberian laws. Section 88.1 of the Amended and Restated Procurement and Concession Act (PPCC) of 2010 explicitly prohibits the implementation of any concession without the issuance of a certificate. Additionally, Section 5.2(e) of the Amended and Restated Public Finance Management Act (PFM) of 2019 states that resources becoming public money upon receipt should be derived from the sale or leasing of state-owned property.
Minister Tweah’s acceptance of payments from HPX without a finalized concession agreement is a clear breach of both the PPCC Act and the PFM Act. The lack of transparency in the process raises questions about why the Finance Minister accepted the money without resolving the outstanding issues and how these funds were accounted for in the budget.
The Timing and Unanswered Questions
The timing of the $37 million payment is particularly suspicious. It coincided with the rejection by the House of Representatives of AML’s amended agreement under consideration. The close proximity of these events raises fundamental questions that demand answers.
The Call for Investigation
Amara Konneh implores the 54th Legislature to utilize the 10-day period, during which they were called by President Weah to receive and debate the draft budget, to investigate these irregularities. Failure to address these issues promptly could lead to potential litigation, as reported by FrontPageAfrica newspaper.
Conclusion
The unfolding saga involving HPX, the GOL, and Finance Minister Samuel Tweah has exposed a troubling breach of Liberian laws and a lack of transparency in financial dealings. The call for a thorough investigation by the 54th Legislature underscores the importance of upholding legal and ethical standards in government operations. As Liberia seeks to build a credible and transparent state, addressing these irregularities becomes imperative for the nation’s future.