Monrovia – The House of Representatives has indicated that its recently named specialized committee to probe allegations contained in the Global Witness report has begun the collection of documents and will soon commence series of Legislative formalities and engagements.
With an indictment drawn against some individuals named in a recent report released by Global Witness including Speaker Alex Tyler, the House of Representatives named its members of the joint legislative committee on Tuesday, May 31 to identify the origin of the amendments and subsequent adjustments in the Public Procurement and Concession Act as alleged by Global Witness.
The Committee has been mandated to probe the alleged altering of the PPCC act by former and present officials in the Executive Branch of government to favor Sable Mining in its bid to acquire the Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County.
In a statement issued Thursday, the legislature said it has released the Terms of Reference of a seven- man special committee to probe 2010 amended and Restated Public Procurement Concession commission Act.
In the statement issued by the Chief Clerk, Madame Mildred Sayon, the committee will establish through Legislative formalities whether or not standing procedures were followed leading to the restated PPCC Act as proposed by the Executive in 2010.
The committee is charged with the responsibility to identify the origin of the amendments and subsequent adjustment passed as the PPCC law is concerned.
The committee, chaired by Rep. James Biney of Maryland County, is mandated to establish what portions of the PPCC law was approved by the Legislature and printed into hand bills by the Executive, whether or not there exist additional instruments associated with the awarding of concessions outside of the PPCC law and Mineral laws and identify whether other laws passed by the Legislature have been altered at the point of printing into Hand bills.
Despite the decision from the Lower House, the Senate has failed to name its members to form part of the joint committee. As anticipated, both chambers of the Legislature were expected to name members of the joint committee within 24 hours.
Showing spirit de corps, the House of Representatives and the Senate issued a joint statement, calling on President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to instruct the Special Presidential taskforce to cease attacks on former and current members of the Legislature.
“The Legislature therefore calls on the president to instruct the special Taskforce to cease attacking the person and property of any present or former member of the Legislature while the joint committee carries out the investigation”, the statement noted.
Henry karmo (0886522495) [email protected]