Over Allegation of Contract Alterations, House of Representative Summons LTA, TIA

Monrovia, Liberia: The House of Representatives has summoned officials from the Telecom International Alliance (TIA) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) following a communication from River Gee County District 3 Representative Johnson S.N Williams.

This decision follows a petition submitted by Liberian journalist Sekou Sheriff, who alleged that the contract between TIA and LTA was altered in a way that significantly extended its duration.

In his communication to Plenary, Representative Williams requested that the Lower House invite the leadership of both institutions to address concerns regarding the "Amended and Restated Agreement to Provide Equipment and Training for the Monitoring of Voice, Data, Mobile Money Traffic, and the Management of Fraud."

Representative Williams referenced a previous decision by the House of Representatives on December 21, 2023, when lawmakers unanimously recalled the TIA contract due to concerns raised by former Maryland County District 3 Representative Isaac B. Roland.

At the time, Roland had pointed out that while the House recommended a five-year term for the contract, the final agreement instead reflected a 20-year duration.

Representative Williams communication: "With compliments, I write to pray the indulgence of the plenary of the House of Representatives to invite the management of the Telecom International Alliance and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority to address the issue of alleged alteration of the 'Amended and Restated Agreement to Provide Equipment and Training for the Monitoring of Voice, Data, Mobile Money Traffic, and the Management of Fraud' between the Telecom International Alliance, Inc. (TIA) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).”

He further referenced an investigation by Journalist Sheriff, which raised concerns about the agreement’s legitimacy. Journalist Sheriff, through his media institution Voice of Liberia 104.1 FM, submitted a formal complaint to the House detailing the allegation of irregularities.

Journalist Sheriff: "We recently conducted an investigation into the amended and restated agreement to provide equipment and training for the monitoring of voice, data, mobile money traffic, and the management of fraud' between Telecom International Alliance, Inc. (TIA) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). Our findings indicate that the final printed copy of the agreement passed, signed, and printed into a handbill on November 10, 2022, was not corrected to reflect the agreed-upon changes. This oversight appears to disproportionately benefit TIA while potentially undermining the revenue generation of the Liberian government."

Sheriff further alleged that the discrepancy could constitute a violation of Liberia’s Revised Penal Law of 1976, Section 15.70, Subchapter E, which deals with forgery and counterfeiting.

The outcome of the Journalist Sheriff investigation in the matter subsequently prompted Representative Williams’s decision to bring the matter before the plenary of the House of Representatives.

The lawmaker wants the House to ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated.

Edited: E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.