By: Archie Boan
The leadership of the Liberian House of Representatives has launched a formal investigation into the occupancy arrangement of the Pan African Plaza building currently used by the One United Nations in Liberia, amid mounting concerns over whether the international body is paying rent or occupying the facility under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Liberia.
Speaker of the House, Richard Nagbe Koon, constituted a specialized committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the legal and financial framework governing the UN’s use of the state-owned property.
The committee is chaired by Michael Thomas, with Bernard Blue Benson Jr. serving as Co-Chair. Other members include Priscilla Cooper and Prince Toles, alongside additional lawmakers appointed by House leadership.
The investigation follows a communication submitted to Plenary by Grand Gedeh County Electoral District #3 Representative Jacob Debee, who raised concerns over what he described as uncertainty surrounding the occupancy status of the Pan African Plaza.
In his communication titled “Inquiry into the Status of the Pan African Plaza Building Occupied by the One United Nations,” Representative Debee questioned whether the arrangement between the Government of Liberia and the United Nations is rooted in a rental agreement or an MOU.
The Grand Gedeh lawmaker requested that Plenary mandate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to provide documentary evidence of any rental payments made by the United Nations from January 2024 through December 2025, if the arrangement is indeed rental-based.
He further requested that if the occupancy is governed by a Memorandum of Understanding, the relevant government institution responsible for the agreement should submit a copy of the MOU to the House for legislative scrutiny and record purposes.
Representative Debee emphasized that the inquiry is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the management of Liberia’s national assets and agreements involving international partners.
The committee has been given one week to complete its investigation and submit findings and recommendations to the full Plenary of the House of Representatives.
