MONTSERRADO, Monrovia – Pres.  George Weah has rejected several concession agreements to the National Legislature.

According to a letter read to members of the legislature, Weah recalled five pending investment incentives and concession agreements currently before the House of Representatives.

Concessions agreements named in Pres. Weah’s letter affect companies such as Dangote Cement, TIDFORE, LICEMCO, Nimba Rubber Incorporated, Liberia Traffic Management. An amendment to the government’s agreement with Firestone was also included.

Weah’s letter stated that the agreements were reviewed by the special committee set up to review concessions to assess and ascertain agreements that are in compliance with requirements of the law, as well to evaluate the justification and benefits to Liberians.

The letter noted that legal requirements in the concession agreements were not fully adhered to, as well as several provisions of the Public Procurement and Concession Act.

According to the president’s letter, all categories of tax relief were either partially or fully granted to the concessionaries without any showing of measurable benefits to Liberia and its people.

The letter further explained that most of the agreements seemed not to have been meticulously prepared as they contained a number of avoidable typos and misinformation, in addition to referencing documents that were not attached.

The letter said the five concession agreements should be recalled from before the National Legislature for reassessment by the National Investment Commission before possible resubmission.

After the reading the letter from the president, the Liberian Senate unanimously agreed that the five concession agreements be recalled.

Featured photo courtesy of Zeze Ballah