Monrovia – The House of Representatives has concurred with the Liberian Senate in rectifying a concession agreement between the Government of Liberia and Golden SIFCA firm for oil palm production in Maryland County.
The bill, known as “An act ratifying the investment incentive agreement
between the Government of Liberia and Golden SIFCA” was on Tuesday, May 21, 2019, passed by the Liberian Senate and forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence.
The bill, among other things, stipulates that any and all obligations, covenants, terms and conditions as contained in the act “shall be into full completion unless otherwise modified, amended or repealed.”
Following the reading of the communication accompanying the bill by the Chief Clerk of the House, Mildred Sayon, Rep. Vincent Willie (Grand Bassa County Rep. District #4) filed a motion of concurrence and it was endorsed with 32 Representatives voting in favor, one abstaining and one lawmaker- Rep. Rustolyn Suacoco Dennis (Montserrado County District #4) voting against.
In her protest, Rep. Dennis said she could not vote in favor of the bill because she does not know what is in the agreement since detail was not read in plenary or copies were not distributed as the communication from the Liberian Senate, as read by Chief Clerk Sayon, only sought the timely concurrence of the House of Representatives.
“I don’t know what is in it so I am voting against it,” Rep. Dennis retorted when questioned by her colleagues.
What’s In Agreement?
It can be recalled that a specialized committee was mandated in February 2019 by the plenary to review the Incentive Agreement between the Government of Liberia and Golden SIFCA following its submission to the House by President George M. Weah. The Committee is yet to report.
Golden SIFCA is a Liberian registered corporation, and it is a joint venture investment equally held by the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and the Golden Veroleum (GVL)-Liberia.
In the communication, President Weah stated that MOPP and GVL will separately develop approximately 10 hectares of the existing MOPP concession area in Pleebo Sodoken District in Maryland County with the total investment of not less than US$34 million over a period of 28-years.
The area is being represented by House Speaker Bhofal Chambers.
Also, the National Investment Commission stated on its website that the agreement will create 180 direct jobs and about 500 indirect jobs during the operation and expansion phases in technical and skilled positions.
“As per the agreement, the Golden-SIFCA project will contribute significantly to development activities in the project area, which includes construction, usage, improvement, and maintenance of roads, bridges and other transportation facilities.”
According to the NIC, adjacent communities will benefit from modern health facilities, the supply of safe drinking water, provision of adequate shared housing facilities for employees, medical care, among others.
The Legislature in recent years has come under staunch criticisms for critics termed as passing into law several concession agreements they argued that is not impacting the lives of ordinary citizens.