Lofa County Senator Momo Cyrus has reiterated the need for the Liberian government to cancel a contentious $40 million contract with Contec Global. His appeal follows a thorough Senate investigation into the origins and legitimacy of the contract.
During their session held today, Senator Cyrus reported findings to his colleagues, echoing his earlier statements prior to the conclusion of the investigation.
The contract, designed for the issuance of resident permits, has sparked significant controversy and backlash within the Senate.
Contec Global was awarded a contract by the Government of Liberia in 2021 to digitize the Liberia Alien Resident Permit.
The opposition, led by Senator Cyrus, centers on allegations that the contract was executed without proper legislative oversight and is fraught with procedural irregularities.
The deal sanctioned under the previous administration of President George Weah, is now under intense scrutiny due to its alleged fraudulent history of existence.
The investigation, spearheaded by the Senate Committee on Security chaired by Senator Momo Cyrus, revealed several procedural lapses, casting doubt on the contract’s validity and legality. One of the most critical findings is the contract’s omission from the oversight of the 54th Legislature, particularly the Senate, raising serious concerns about due process and accountability.
Senator Cyrus highlighted the lack of involvement from key government institutions, including the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC).
The contract also failed to secure approval from the National Security Agency (NSA), which is particularly concerning given the significant security implications.
In his report, Senator Cyrus emphasized the thorough nature of the investigation, which scrutinized the roles and responsibilities of various government entities involved in the issuance of resident permits.
He argued that the contract violates Liberian laws and is fundamentally flawed in its execution.
A major point of contention is the contract’s stipulation for the production of 350,000 resident permit cards over five years. Senator Cyrus criticized this figure as grossly exaggerated, given Liberia’s modest immigration and alien registration statistics.
He expressed doubts about the feasibility of the contract’s terms and warned against the potential long-term entrenchment of Contec Global in Liberia’s affairs with minimal returns on their purported obligations.
Senator Cyrus strongly advocates for the contract’s immediate cancellation to uphold the rule of law and prevent future instances of unchecked executive authority and security implications.
Senator Momo Cyrus’s effort underscores the gravity of the situation and the imperative to hold accountable those responsible for circumventing established procedures.
The actions taken in response to Senator Cyrus’s impassioned plea are expected to significantly impact Liberia’s governance landscape, particularly regarding multimillion-dollar contracts if take into consideration.
Meanwhile the Liberian Senate made a decision, allowing the Executive Branch to handle the matter.
The Senators took the decision on ground that the Executive Branch of Government is contemplating on cancelling the contract.
As Liberia continues to grapple with issues of transparency and accountability, the outcome of this case will undoubtedly serve as a critical benchmark for future governmental conduct and the enforcement of legislative oversight.
