Monrovia- A non-legislated contract worth 40 million dollars for resident permits has ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting fierce backlash from from Senators.
Spearheading the opposition of the contract is Senator Momo Cyrus of Lofa County, who is vehemently pushing for the cancellation of the deal believed to be dubious.
The contract, allegedly sanctioned by the Government of Liberia under the previous administration of President George Weah, now hangs in the balance as its procedural irregularities come under intense scrutiny.
An investigation led by the Senate Committee on Security, chaired by Senator Cyrus, has unearthed procedural lapses, casting doubt on the validity and legality of the contract.
Key among the committee’s findings is the glaring omission of the contract from the oversight of the 54th Legislature, particularly the Senate, raising serious questions about due process and accountability.
Senator Cyrus, speaking on behalf of the committee, highlighted the alarming absence of involvement from crucial government institutions such as the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Public Procurement Concession Company (PPCC).
The contract, which bears significant security implications, failed to secure the consent of the National Security Agency (NSA) further compounding its illegitimacy.
Senator Cyrus emphasized the exhaustive nature of the investigation, which meticulously examined the roles and responsibilities of various government entities involved in the issuance of resident permits.
Central to Senator Cyrus’s objection is the perceived violation of Liberian laws inherent in the contract’s execution.
He contends that the deal, signed between Contec Global and the government, is fundamentally flawed, particularly in its unrealistic production expectations.
The contract stipulates the production of 350,000 resident permit cards over five years, a figure deemed grossly exaggerated by Senator Cyrus in light of Liberia’s modest immigration and alien registration figures.
Expressing issues of the feasibility of the contract’s terms, Senator Cyrus warned against the potential entrenchment of Contec Global in Liberia’s affairs for decades to come, with little to show for its purported obligations.
He firmly advocates for the contract’s immediate cancellation as a decisive measure to uphold the rule of law and deter future instances of unchecked executive authority.
In a bid to galvanize support for his cause, Senator Cyrus communication has been sent to Senate committees, including Ways, Means, Finance, Judiciary, and Public Accounts, urging a thorough investigation and the submission of a comprehensive report.
This concerted effort underscores the gravity of the situation and the imperative to hold accountable those responsible for circumventing established procedures.
It is expected that the actions taken in response to Senator Cyrus’s impassioned plea will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of Liberia’s governance landscape specifically on multimillion contracts.
