Monrovia – With barely a week to the inauguration of President-elect Joseph Boakai, allegations of bribery and intimidation appear to be the order of the day. Multiple sources and eyewitnesses attending a Senate Retreat at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, confirmed to FrontPageAfrica at the weekend that some 26 incoming Senators to the 55th Legislature were each given envelopes containing the amount of US$40,000 each in return for the signing of the resolution which secured the election of Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence as the next Pro Temp of the Senate. Others also claim that US$10,000 was also allegedly dished out to members of the ruling party bloc backing Senator Gbehzonga Milton Findley for the Pro Temp position.
The resolution means that Karnga-Lawrence is poised to become the second woman elected to head the Senate since its formation. The first was Senator Grace Minor during the reign of former President Charles Taylor.
On Monday, both the House of Representatives and the Senate will convene to open the 55th legislature in accordance with Article 29 of the Constitution.
One source went further to state that except for Emmanuel Nuquay (Margibi), Bill Twehway (Rivercess), Gbezohnga Findley (Grand Bassa and Saah Joseph (Montserrado County and Nathaniel McGill(McGill). Twenty-five other lawmakers reportedly signed the resolution for the US$40,000.
Trading Accusations on Both Sides
While most of the Senators contacted declined to address the matter, a member of the bloc pushing the election of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence (Grand Bassa) told FrontPageAfrica that if any money changed hands, it came from the outgoing ruling Coalition for Democratic Change’s bloc.
Some Senators confided in FPA that they were threatened with seats on key committees if they did not go along with the signing of the resolution supporting Karnga-Lawrence’s candidacy for Pro Temp.
According to the source, in the wake of what is unfolding in the race for the leader of the lower house, the upper house came to a consensus and a compromise was made that the Senators will not take the route of the lower house. “So, it was agreed that they make a resolution. After Senator Nuquay was sanctioned by the United States of Treasury Department, some Senators began tinkering with an alternative with Montserrado County Senator Saah Joseph name thrown as a potential candidate. When that did not gain traction, Findley became a last-minute candidate.”
In the race for the Speaker, allegations of bribery have been dogging incoming President Joseph Boakai. Last Thursday, Grand Kru District 1 lawmaker Nathaniel Bahway told a news conference, that irrespective of the fact that the offer comes in the wake of the pending Speaker election, he did not see the promised US$25,000 as bribery, rather as a development fund. “I was there when the old man [Joseph Boakaio] made it clear that it he would be giving US$25,000 to each individual [lawmaker] so that they will see reason and support their district… I have not received it yet but I’ll receive it,” Rep. Bahway said.
In the Senate race for Pro Temp slated for Monday, the source said the ruling party bloc reportedly met at the Jamaica residence of President George Weah last Thursday and prevailed on the President that they put up a candidate. Pro Temp Albert Chie reportedly boycotted the meeting after telling the President that his bloc did not have the votes to challenge the consensus candidate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence.
Outgoing Pro Temp’s decision not to support the President’s bloc has reportedly triggered friction between the pair who are said to be at loggerheads and not on speaking terms due to the tension over the Senate race and the aftermath of the brutal Presidential elections.
Background Chatters Over Concessionaires’ Interests
The President reportedly agreed to put up US$750,000 for the bloc but the refused and demanded US$1 million instead. The source said members of the bloc reportedly sent money to the hotel and each member reportedly received US$10,000 with the promise of the balance once their candidate Findley’s vote was secured. However, when the bloc realized that they did not have the votes, some of the independents who were in their corner slipped toward Senator Karnga-Lawrence’s camp. “So, if any money changed hands, it was from George Weah bloc and they cracked,” a member of Senator Lawrence’s camp, speaking on condition of anonymity said Sunday.
The looming elections in the Senate comes as several concessions are on the table for debate in both the lower and upper house of the Senate.
On the eve of Monday’s elections, FrontPageAfrica has learned that a few members of the Senate recently travel to Turkey to meet with officials of the Turkish mining giant, MNG Orko Madencilik AS which develops and explores gold mines. In 2016, MNG purchased from the Canadian explorer Aureus Mining Inc. The company is currently mining in the Kokoya statutory district in Bong County, where more than 300 workers were recently laid off.
In addition to the layoffs, the company has been in an ongoing battle with the Liberian government to rectify its Mineral Development Agreement signed between the government of Liberia and the company in 2018. The company has in recent times been pressing officials of the Mines and Energy Ministry to continue its operations in the ‘Class A Mining License, to no avail.
For months, residents in the area have been urging the Weah administration, through the County’s legislative caucus to demand the company to live in accordance with the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding it signed with residents of the district which includes the paving of major routes, the construction of clinic and vocational center in David Dean Town, and the provision of local and international scholarships opportunities for youths of the district.
The incoming Senate also faces a daunting task of revisiting a bill, entitled, “An Act to Ratify the Investment Incentive Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Liberia and Fouani Brothers Corporation,” which was first vetoed by President Weah last August 2020 because a page containing important information was omitted.
“I did not see such thing taking place. I didn’t observe any money changing hands. I am the one who organized the retreat, and the Senate covered the cost. Money was not a factor. The few who did not sign said they wanted to comply with the CDC mandate; go on the floor and get defeated.”
Albert Chie, Outgoing Senate Pro Temp
Fouani Brothers, which is expected to benefit from a 15-year incentive agreement, obligates the Company to invest in palm farming in Liberia, purchasing all locally grown crude palm oil at fair market value and actively participating in the Out-grower Scheme while addressing supply chain challenges.
Section 11.2 further defines “insufficient supply” as less than 60 percent of the refinery’s average crude palm oil consumption over the previous six months, as the deal further promised to create 25 direct jobs and 50 indirect jobs in Liberia.
Senate Pro Temp ‘Did Not Observe’ Cash Payouts
After months of deliberation on the bill, the plenary of the Liberian Senate on December 5, 2023, concurred with the House of Representatives to rectify the US$30,000 Investment Incentive Agreement between the Government and Fouani Brothers Corporation and send to the President for his signature.
The Senate said the Fouani Brothers Corporation Inc. Investment Incentive Agreement is for the construction of a refinery intended to produce finished products of vegetable and other edible oils from crude palm oil.
The Senate added that the agreement will also create approximately 200 direct jobs and 400 indirect jobs, as well as boost the country’s economy, and that at its 5th anniversary, 50 percent of the most senior positions shall be occupied by Liberians. But the President vetoed the bill, saying that he wants to give the new administration the chance to correct the loopholes that the bill presents since he is leaving office in days to come.
As the incoming Senators prepare to take their seat, the Fouani bill will no doubt be a centerpiece of the sitting and many political observers say, such high-profile controversial bills have the propensity to tempt Senators and legislators to the detriment of Liberians.
Allegations of bribery in Liberia comes as the country’s strategic partner, the United States of America have been frowning on the act and going as far a sanctioning several officials engaging in bribery and corruption.
When contacted Sunday, Pro Temp Chie, one of those already on sanction by the US, dismissed reports of money changing hands, saying: “I did not see such thing taking place. I didn’t observe any money changing hands. I am the one who organized the retreat, and the Senate covered the cost. Money was not a factor. The few who did not sign said they wanted to comply with the CDC mandate; go on the floor and get defeated.”