Liberia: Break-In At Capitol Building That Left Midtech's Controversial $18M Contract Report Missing Raises Concern Among Lawmakers And Public - FrontPageAfrica

Source: Front Page Africa
Author: Obediah Johnson

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia - In the wake of ongoing investigation into the controversial and illegal awarding of US$18m contract to Qatari company Medtech Scientific by the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of former Liberian President George Manneh Weah, a finalized report from the Ad-Hoc committee setup by the Liberian Senate has been stolen by unknown persons from the Capitol Building in Monrovia, days prior to its debate by Senators for possible actions.

By Obediah Johnson - [email protected]

Located on Capitol Hill in Monrovia, the Capitol Building is the official seat of the National Legislature.

It can be recalled that in April this year, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate established an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the questionable manner and form in which the Weah led-administration signed a contract with Medtech Scientific that led to the establishment of a secret financial account in Dubai unknown to the other parties involved with the deal.

The former government signed a 10-year contract with MedTech in July 2021 to conduct Destination Inspection of containers and to provide Verification of Conformity services at the Freeport of Monrovia. The company replaces BIVAC whose contract with the government expired in July 2021.

But the Senate mandated a probe to also establish whether or not political corruption and potential money laundering led to the signing of the contract between MedTech and the Liberian government.

The Senators' action stemmed from two separate communications from the Committees on Public Accounts and Commerce and industry signed by Amara Konneh, Alex Tyler, Dabah Varpilah, Jonathan Sogbie, Edwin Snowe, Nathaniel McGill, Crayton Duncan, Abraham Darius Dillon and Albert Chie of Gbarpolu, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, River Gee, Margibi, Sinoe, Montserrado and Grand Kru respectively.

Those who were named on the Ad-Hoc include: Senators Amara Konneh as Chair, Prince Moye Co-Chair, Dabah Varpilah, Edwin Snowe, Jonathan Sogbie, Abraham Darius Dillon, Augustine Chea, and Alex Tyler.

The committee failed to submit its findings to plenary as mandated until the legislators went for their first annual break.

However, a finalized report which was expected to be submitted to plenary this week for deliberations and subsequent legislative actions was stolen following a burglary on the office of the committee Chairman Senator Amara Konneh.

Insecure and Vulnerability confirmed

Legislative activities including normal regular sessions, committee and constituency meetings and visitations, public hearings on issues of national concerns and the presentation of State of the Nation Address by the President, amongst others are held at the Capitol Building.

However, the terrain or compound of the Capitol Building remains threatened as a result of consistent burglary and theft.

The Legislative Security Service (LSS), headed by one Dyonisious Wisseh is responsible for security at the Capitol Building. The group replaces private security firms that previously manned the facilities as part of the modernization plan of both Houses.

Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe is the Chairman of the Legislative Modernization and Projects of the Senate, while Senator Amara Konneh is the Co-Chair.

Over the weekend, the Liberian Senate confirmed the vulnerability of the Capitol Building when it announced that the offices of three Senators were burglarized by unknown persons.

An anti-burglary Unit of the Liberia National Police is currently investigating the act.

The other victims of the latest burglary include Senators Joseph Jallah and Thomas Yaya Nimely of Lofa and Grand Gedeh counties respectively.

The amount of US$200, L$10,000, US$700 worth of gasoline as well as documents intended for Medtech and Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) investigation were taken away from the office of Senator Amara Konneh.

Four laptop computers were also stolen from the office of Senator Joseph Jallah, while two laptops and a small phone were stolen from the office of Senator Nimely.

A statement issued by the Senate in Monrovia on Monday, May 27 disclosed that officer Siafa Kamara, who was serving as duty commander when the burglary took place, has been arrested as prime suspect and placed behind bars, at the headquarters of the Liberia National Police (LNP).

He was apprehended for allegedly providing conflicting information during the police investigation.

The statement quotes the Senate Security Director as terming the latest incident as "a criminal organized gang probably within the Senate Security."

Intruders

The Capitol Building continues to serve as a hotspot for intruders and beggars.

Uninvited and unassigned individuals are seen masquerading the compound and even the Chambers of both Houses.

The offering of handouts to security guards at both entrances for smooth and unhindered entrance by uninvited or unexpected guests, especially females and those untidy, has also been noticed.

The situation at times causes embarrassment for some lawmakers, many of whom are always unwilling to meet their constituents who have not booked an appointment at the Capitol Building.

Uninvited guests and intruders parading the corridors of the building and moving from one lawmaker's office to another are normally greeted with the regular question of "do you have an appointment with him/her" from legislative staffers on a daily basis.

At times, those who do not have an appointment would stand beside the vehicles of lawmakers until they are spotted by them.

This has compelled many lawmakers to stay out of their offices for a prolonged period of time to avoid being embarrassed with barrage of requests from their constituents or family members

Begging for alms

On the other hand, some physically challenged and disadvantaged youths see the Capitol Building as a "hustle ground."

They normally harassed or engaged lawmakers openly for alms.

Others busy themselves heaping praises on lawmakers or chanting battle cries in lawmakers' favor just for handouts.

Many onlookers and visitors at the Capitol Building have blamed the situation on the high rate of poverty in the country.

Lawmakers and members of the public are concerned about the frequent burglary at the Capitol Building

Poor salaries for security officers assigned at the Capitol Building, insufficient manpower, lack of stable electricity are contributing factors to the insecurity there.

About 25 individuals are part of the security department at the Liberian Senate. Out of the total number, between six to eight officers are assigned to provide security during the night hours, while the remaining ones are placed on day shift.

Strict adherence to security protocols at the Capitol Building are only enforced during presidential inauguration and the deliverance of Annual Messages by the President.

If stringent measures are not taken, especially by the leaderships of both Houses of the National Legislature, through its Rules, Order and Administration Committees, the loss of lives and valuable state and personal assets would be experienced due to the growing wave of insecurity at the Capitol Building.

The lives of the President, lawmakers, foreign diplomats and others would also be endangered if the official seat of the National Legislature continues to serve as a "market and hustle ground" that is always open to the public.