Monrovia, Liberia – The House of Representatives on Tuesday ratified a major financing agreement for a pivotal infrastructure project while also launching investigations into alleged violations of Liberian business law and the National Elections Commission.
The legislature approved and forwarded to the Senate for concurrence the US$41 million Financing Agreement for the South-Eastern Corridor Road Asset Management Project (SECRAMP). The decision, reached during the House’s 7th day sitting, follows a formal request from the Executive Branch to secure supplementary funding for the ongoing initiative.
President Joseph Boakai’s communication to the legislature specifically sought ratification to access an additional US$23 million. This amount constitutes a critical portion of the total US$41 million required to complete the SECRAMP project, which is a cornerstone infrastructure program of the national RESCUE AGENDA.
Following a review, the House Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance presented a favorable report to the plenary. The committee affirmed that the financing instrument is vital for bolstering road infrastructure in the southeastern region, which will, in turn, enhance job creation and stimulate broader economic development.
The committee’s report highlighted the project’s immediate and long-term employment benefits. It noted that the construction phase has already generated jobs for both expatriates and local workers, coupled with skills training programs. Post-construction road maintenance activities are also expected to sustain employment and ensure the long-term viability of the infrastructure.
Beyond employment, the committee emphasized the transformative economic impact of improved road connectivity. The project is projected to facilitate better market access for farmers and local industries, thereby boosting commercial activities along the corridor and creating ancillary jobs in retail, hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing.
After a thorough scrutiny of the agreement’s provisions, the Committee concluded that the financing is “timely, appropriate, and aligned with Liberia’s development priorities,” paving the way for the plenary’s swift endorsement.
In a separate but equally significant move, the Plenary endorsed an inquiry into the business practices of Bea Mountain Mining Company. The action was triggered by a communication from Sinoe County Electoral District #3 Representative, Hon. Alex S. Noah.
Representative Noah alleged that the company is operating cement and mineral water factories, activities he described as a “grave contravention” of Liberia’s 1975 Liberianization Policy. This policy reserves twelve specific categories of business exclusively for Liberian citizens to promote indigenous economic empowerment.
The lawmaker argued that it would be a “disservice to struggling Liberian entrepreneurs” for a large foreign concessionaire, already engaged in gold extraction, to venture into small-scale business sectors reserved for nationals. Plenary has mandated the Speaker to constitute a Specialized Committee to investigate these allegations and report back with findings and recommendations.
Concurrently, the House took a firm stance on electoral integrity by endorsing a report from a Joint Specialized Committee calling for the immediate dissolution of the Special Operations Procedures (SOPS) structure within the National Elections Commission (NEC).
The investigation into the SOPS was initiated by a previous communication from Rep. Noah, who raised concerns over its legality and transparency. The Joint Committee’s findings revealed that the SOPS operates without any legal basis, creating a parallel administrative system that undermines the NEC’s statutory chain of command, accountability, and transparency.
The report warned that the existence of such an extra-legal structure poses serious risks to the credibility of Liberia’s electoral process, the confidence of international partners, and public trust in the NEC’s independence.
Based on these findings, the House Plenary resolved to demand the NEC immediately dissolve the SOPS structure and revert to its statutory administrative framework. The Committees on Elections and Inaugurations and Judiciary have been tasked with conducting oversight and reporting on compliance within thirty days, underscoring the legislature’s commitment to safeguarding democratic governance and the rule of law.
