MONROVIA – When the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) imported hazardous chemicals in the country, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fined them US$10,000. This happened in January this year. Now, a private company, York Trading Inc., committed the same offense in April and the acting Executive Director, Randall Dobayou fines them US$1,400 – the least fine ever in the EPA’s history. The discrepancy is raising eyebrows.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

Documents obtained by FrontPageAfrica show that York Trading In. which is located Vai Town, Bushrod Island, imported 25,920kg of concentrated sulfuric acid contained in a 20ft container marked MRKU978068422G1. The import originated from The Netherlands.

Sulfuric acid is an industrial chemical which has multiple applications all of which have environmental impacts. Importation by permit affords EPA the opportunity to know the end users and also ensure that the end users are trained to use the product in order minimize its impacts on the environment.

Like the LEC, the company failed to obtain a permit from the EPA for the importation of the hazardous substance which led to its confiscation by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), especially so because it was their second time breaching the EPA law. This was in March this year.

LRA action was part of custom regional enforcement operations under the auspices of the World Custom Organization (WCO) for combating the illicit flow of precursor chemicals used to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

In its communication to the EPA, Commissioner of Customs informed the EPA of the chemicals and requested the EPA to investigate the nature of the chemicals.

The EPA then took charge of the container on April 10 and began investigation into the matter.

During a meeting held with the York Trading Inc., the EPA informed them of the gravity of their offense and how it would cost them a fine not exceeding US$50,000.

“Your invitation to a conference with EPA is predicated upon your recent application to EPA for importation of chemicals when, in fact, the chemicals was already in the Free Port of Monrovia. Your application to EPA was prompted by the confiscation of the chemical by the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) for lacking EPA permit. This act is a complete violation of Part V; section 55 of the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia which is punishable by a fine not exceeding 50,000 US DOLLARS or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years or to both,” the citation to York Inc. states.

The EPA further stated in their citation: “It was also revealed by LRA that this round of importation is the second time in 2020 which clearly indicates that your entity has been importing chemicals into Liberia for a protracted period.”

Sources within the environmental sector informed FrontPageAfrica that the EPA often fine for that nature of offense between US$10,000 and US$50,000.

“He instructed the committee to put in the report that they recommended the fine of US$1,400. That is the lowest fine ever in the history of the EPA. Even if the committee recommended that, as acting head of the entity, can’t you see the company is a multiple offender and must be punished appropriately?”

– An EPA Source

The Least Fine Ever

When FrontPageAfrica inquired about the discrepancy in the fine for the same offense, Mr. Aloysius David, Acting Communications Director at the EPA, informed this paper that the scenario was not of the same magnitude.

According to him, the LEC had been in constant violation for year. He, however, could not say how many importations the LEC had made. He also failed to acknowledge that York Inc. had made two importations of the same chemical without seeking permit from the EPA.

Mr. David further stated “law provides that we can fine base on the magnitude of the offense and the business size”.

He added that the fine imposed by York Trading was advanced by the technical team and not by the agency’s Deputy Executive Director.  

Bribery or Poor Discretion?

Sources within the sector and the EPA familiar with the York Trading development informed FrontPageAfrica that Mr. Dobayou after privately meeting with the company instructed that they be fined US$1,400.

“He instructed the committee to put in the report that they recommended the fine of US$1,400. That is the lowest fine ever in the history of the EPA. Even if the committee recommended that, as acting head of the entity, can’t you see the company is a multiple offender and must be punished appropriately?” the source said.

The source added, “The fine is supposed to be not less than US$10,000 and not more than US$50,000. That’s what the law says. That’s what we’ve been going by and after they’ve paid the fine into government’s revenue account, they have to come into compliance with the EPA. They’ll have to fulfill all the requirements for the importation of such chemical before getting a permit. It is after they get the permit before the chemical can be released to them.”

The source also wondered why Mr. Dobayou held a private meeting with the company after they were cited.

“Just when the team had finalized their report and a fine of not less than US$10,000 was about to be imposed, Mr. Dobayou instructed that they be fined US$1,400. In fact, we had contacted York Trading, but they said they had already spoken to the boss,” the source said.

Why EPA Didn’t Bring York Into Compliance

During his Wednesday, April 29, 2020 appearance on Spoon FM, the Deputy Executive Director alluded that York Trading Incorporation had fully submitted the required Environmental Management Plan report, and fulfilled the Environmental Social Impacts Assessment Process (ESIA), which is a statutory requirement prior to the EPA’s approval of York Trading Incorporated request to import chemical.

In the case of York Trading Incorporated has existed for more than four years, therefore, as per the ESIA Procedural Guidelines of 2017, the company is required to submit to the following: application, preparation and submission of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) by Project Consultant; Payment of Permit processing fees by Project Owner; Review of EMP by the Technical Committee; Site verification by the Technical Committee; Presentation of key findings from site verification to Technical committee. It is after all these requirements are fulfilled that the EPA issues the permit.

In fulfillment of the Environmental Protection & Management Law 2002/03 and adherence to the updated ESIA Procedural Guidelines 2017, these requirements are to be fulfilled prior to the authorization of any company, industry or corporation, especially when found operating in violations to continue operation. Additionally, EPML 2002/03 Section 55 subsection 1, 5 & 6; states the following;

No person shall illegally import into Liberia any hazardous waste or substance;

Any person who imports any hazardous waste or substance into Liberia contrary to subsection (1) shall be responsible for the removal of the waste from Liberia and for its safe disposal;

In addition, any person who imports into Liberia, exports out of Liberia, and transports within Liberia, hazardous waste except as prescribed by the provisions of this section commits an offence and is on conviction liable to a fine not exceeding 50,000 US DOLLARS or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 20 years or to both.

Without fulfilling any of these requirements, Mr. Dobayou ordered the containers be to the released to the company, according to documents obtained by FrontPageAfrica. This clearly contravenes the ESIA Procedural Guideline of 2017.

The containers of hazardous substance was released to the company without any evidence of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) report submitted to the EPA by York Trading Incorporated; No evidence of Consultant that was hired by York Trading that prepared the EMP as claimed; No evidence of the payment of the ESIA permit processing fees; no evidence of the Date of review of the EMP; No site verification report and name of technical staff who participated in the review process; and No evidence of inputs or review outcomes from the review of the EMP.

MONROVIA – The African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) has disassociated itself from the disclosure of Mr. Benjamin G. Everett, assistant registrar for records at the university, that Mr. Randall M. Dobayou, II, has completed all his courses at the university and currently awaits graduation.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

While the university in a statement did not confirm or deny the information provided by Mr. Everett, it stated that he spoke in his personal capacity and he acted without the knowledge of the university.

“The AME University hereby disassociates itself from the information provided by Mr. Benjamin G. Everett to FrontPage Africa in his personal capacity as he is not the official spokesperson of the University. His action was without the knowledge and consent of the University,” a press release from the university stated.

The university added: “The AME University has launched an internal investigation into this matter and the appropriate action will be taken. The AME University wants to reassure the public, its students and stakeholders of its commitment to upholding its confidentiality policy. We remain in the “pursuit of excellence”.

During his press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Dobayou, who serves as the deputy executive director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in an attempt to defend his academic credentials which has come under public scrutiny referenced the assistant registrar for records and the Dean for Admission and Records that they can attest that he has no outstanding course in AME University.

He bragged that he has obtained a letter of attestation and transcript from the university.

He claimed the Dean for Records and Admission printed out his credentials for him.

He also claimed he was given the opportunity to form part of a graduation ceremony, but he refused to do since it has been long overdue.

Mr. Dobayou was expelled from the University in 2012 for unruly behaviour on campus. He was a graduating senior by then.

“The AME University has launched an internal investigation into this matter and the appropriate action will be taken. The AME University wants to reassure the public, its students and stakeholders of its commitment to upholding its confidentiality policy. We remain in the “pursuit of excellence”.

– African Methodist Episcopal University

When contacted by FrontPageAfrica, the Assistant Registrar for Records, Mr. Benjamin G. Everett, said Mr. Dobayou completed his outstanding courses during the first semester of the current academic year, therefore, he does not have a degree yet and has not been processed for graduation.

Mr. Everett, however, said upon the completion of his final courses, he requested an attestation and transcript from the school which were given to him with the exception of his degree.

“If you saw the document he displayed, you would see that the date on it is 2020 or December 2019. It was very recent that we handed him his credentials because he just completed his courses. He does not have a degree yet. This means he has not graduated yet. He is to be part of the next graduating class,” Mr. Everett told FrontPageAfrica.

Mr. Dobayou admitted to FrontPageAfrica that the credentials given him by the university are dated 2019/2020.

This conflicting to his claim that he obtained an attestation from the University as a graduating senior in 2013 which formed part of documents he filed to obtain a U.S. visa.

His admission that academic credentials obtained from AMEU are dated 2019/2020 has also brought into question his claim that he obtained a post-graduate certificate in ventilation and refrigeration from the Vatterott Technical College in Iowa, USA.  He also claimed to have obtained a graduate certificate from the State of Iowa – National Carrier Readiness Certificate.

Displaying another certificate, he said, “This is from Esco Institute in Chicago that makes me an EPA certified universal technician. You can verify it. You have to have a university credential before enrolling,” he said.

What remains unanswered is how he enrolled for the post-graduate program without having the credentials of an undergraduate.

MONROVIA – Mr. Randall M. Dobayou, II, the Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA) has been struggling to defend his academic credentials, claiming that he was cleared by the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) for graduation since 2013, but authorities at the university informed FrontPageAfrica that Mr. Dobayou completed his final courses last semester and awaits graduation for his undergraduate degree.

Report by Lennart Dodoo, ldodoo@frontpageafricaonline.com

He was among several students who were expelled from the university in 2012 for unruly behavior when they staged a protest against former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf when she visited the university.

Defending his credentials during a press conference on Tuesday, Dobayou said, “I completed all of my courses at AMEU before I was suspended. I will resign today if you go to the school and prove that I have outstanding courses there. The only thing I did not do was I have not had the opportunity to formally march as a graduate, but marching does not make you a graduate.”

However, when contacted by FrontPageAfrica, the Assistant Registrar for Records, Mr. Benjamin G. Everett, said Mr. Dobayou completed his outstanding courses during the first semester of the current academic year, therefore, he does not have a degree yet and has not been processed for graduation.

Mr. Everett, however, said upon the completion of his final courses, he requested an attestation and transcript from the school which were given to him with the exception of his degree.

“If you saw the document he displayed, you would see that the date on it is 2020 or December 2019. It was very recent that we handed him his credentials because he just completed his courses. He does not have a degree yet. This means he has not graduated yet. He is to be part of the next graduating class,” Mr. Everett told FrontPageAfrica.

Mr. Everett’s disclosure runs contrary to Mr. Dobayou’s boast that he obtained an attestation from the University as a graduating senior in 2013 as part of documents he filed to obtain a U.S. visa.

Dobayou through messaging app, WhatsApp, confirmed to FrontPageAfrica his credentials obtained from AMEU are dated 2019/2020. He also denied knowledge of a 2013 letter of attestation purportedly from the AMEU in his name, stating, I did not post that to social media. He, however, did not state if that is the same attestation he claimed to have obtained in 2013.

The latest disclosure from AMEU has also brought into questioning Mr. Dobayou’s claim that the obtained a post-graduate certificate in ventilation and refrigeration from the Vatterott Technical College in Iowa, USA.  He also claimed to have obtained a graduate certificate from the State of Iowa – National Carrier Readiness Certificate.

“If you saw the document he displayed, you would see that the date on it is 2020 or December 2019. It was very recent that we handed him his credentials because he just completed his courses. He does not have a degree yet. This means he has not graduated yet. He is to be part of the next graduating class.”

Displaying another certificate, he said, “This is from Esco Institute in Chicago that makes me an EPA certified universal technician. You can verify it. You have to have a university credential before enrolling,” he said.

What remains unanswered is how he enrolled for the post-graduate program without having the credentials of an undergraduate.

FrontPageAfrica would later learn from sources close to Dobayou that it was his brother, Carter Dobayou, a wind turbine commissioning technician, based Iowa that encouraged him to take up a certificate program in wind turbine so that he could help him get a job during his stay in the United States.

“He had the opportunity to work with his brother, an expert in the field, when he was in America. His brother accommodated him so that he could make ends meet. There’s no free lunch in America, he had to do something to survive. However, it is unfair for him to take brand himself around as some international expert in Environmental Science when he only obtained a 12-month certificate training,” the family source said.

Sadly, Vatterott College closed all of its campuses on December 17, 2018.

While in the United States, Dobayou served as the Secretary-General of CDC-USA.

As a partisan, he appointed by President George Weah to serve as the Deputy Executive Director of the EPA.

His CV also indicates that he holds a post-graduate degree in Environmental Science from Alabama State University, USA. He did a 12-month course at the Iowa Works (Mason City) where he obtained a postgraduate credential in Conflict Resolution from in October 2015.  While in the United States, he also reported having enrolled at the Vatterott Technical College where he earned a certificate in ‘Universal Technician’, with an emphasis in ventilation and refrigeration.

I know of no government sheltered with pretense and gross lawlessness like that of Sirleaf’s Government.

In the shining eyes of the world and the opened faces of all Liberians, this government has successfully honored lawlessness and injustices to the greatest of man’s imagination; one of the many lawless acts is the blunt slaughtering and unapologetic violation of
its own hand work, “The 2014 Code of Conduct”. 

The Code of Conduct was enacted consistent with Chapter 11, ARTICLE 90c of the 1986 constitution, which amongst other things mandates the Legislature to prescribe a Code of Conduct, stipulating conflict of Interest and other malpractices within government.

Few days ago, president Sirleaf and some key members of her cabinet were in Bong County at the Ruling Unity Party National Convention. Interestingly, the present Minister of Information contested and won as Secretary General of the Unity party which clearly subscribes to Conflict Of Interest”.

According to section 1.3.6 of the Code of conduct, Conflict of Interest is when a public official, contrary to official obligations and duties to act for the benefit of the public, exploits a relationship for personal benefit. One may wonder how the Minister has exploited his relationship for personal benefit:

Note that as Information minister, he is the statutory mouthpiece of Government, likewise as secretary General of UP; he is one of the designated spokespersons of the party.

In this case, I am wondering how the Minister would communicate should there be an issue involving the Government and the party as both of them are two different Institutions.

Minister Nagbe also drove in his official government issued vehicle to go contest for his pleasurable position in Bong County; without rocket science, it is very easy to understand that such is an act of exploitation for personal benefit.

Minister Nabge and all other officials of government who contested in the convention also violated section 5.8 of the Code of Conduct. Such section in summary states, “No officer or employee in the Executive Branch of Government, or any agency or department thereof, shall take any active part in political management or in political campaigns”. 

Ironically, Eugene Nagbe is the Minister of Information and Secretary General of the ruling party at the same time.

As secretary general, he speaks for his party and manages political activities but our President and her party do not see it illegal even though the violation is as visible as the sky. The President and her party have forced me to believe they are political kidnappers who find absolute pleasure in abducting the law for selfish purposes.

The sole purpose of the Code of Conduct as enacted is to set out standards of behavior, and conduct required of Public Officials. 

It is intended to be implemented, to guarantee impartiality, neutrality and plainness; not to enhance personal interest and lawlessness as corrupt Madam Sirleaf and her blindfolded subjects have deftly and confidently acted with no shame.

Given such midday trespasses against the Code of Conduct, I am exclusively indulged to ask Minister Nagbe and all other government officials in similar situation, to immediately and unreservedly resign from government and serve their party.

Randall Massaqui Dobayou, II
Global Anti-Poverty Advocate
Des Moines Iowa, United States of America