IPNEWS: The Liberian Senate is actively considering President Joseph Boakai’s formal request to de-ratify the Concession Agreement between the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) and Telecom International Alliance (TIA), citing alleged procurement irregularities, fraud, and fiscal risks exceeding US$50 million.
This follows a comprehensive review and renegotiation plan by a Joint Committee comprising Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions, and Post and Telecommunications committees of the Liberian Senate.
The Executive’s initiative, submitted in November 2025, was prompted by concerns over the contract’s award, including the incorporation of TIA in Delaware just four days after bid documents were received, a sudden increase in the revenue share from 35% to 49%, and an extension of the contract for an additional 20 years without demonstrable value for money.
The Senate Joint Committee convened hearings in late January 2026, inviting the Ministry of Justice, General Auditing Commission (GAC), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and TIA representatives to provide testimony and supporting evidence.
Officials from the Ministry of Justice, LACC, and LTA largely endorsed the Executive’s de-ratification request, citing violations of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Act of 2010 and instances of fraudulent activity during the procurement process.
Audit findings presented during the hearings highlighted that the LTA awarded TIA nine percent of regulatory revenues outside the concession agreement, while failing to remit approximately four million dollars to the consolidated government account, leaving only $900,000 reflected in its statements.
The Senate Joint Committee’s analysis underscored that the Executive’s suspension of the contract constitutes a dispute, which TIA formally contests, and emphasized that the agreement contains a binding dispute settlement clause mandating arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce in London.
Legal counsel within the Committee advised that de-ratification could contravene both contractual obligations and constitutional protections, including Article 25, which prohibits impairment of contractual rights, and Article 20(a), which enshrines due process of law.
Recommendations emerging from the Committee advocate for renegotiation of the agreement rather than outright de-ratification, highlighting the constitutional risks and the potential for protracted, costly arbitration.
The hearings further examined the legal framework governing public procurement, referencing the Complaint, Appeal, and Review (CARP) procedures established under Section 10 of the PPCC Act, which provide recourse for contesting procurement irregularities.
As of February 4–5, 2026, the Senate is finalizing its recommendations for plenary consideration.
While the Executive and select senators continue to advocate for full de-ratification to assert the rule of law, the Joint Committee’s findings favor negotiated adjustments to the contract as a balanced resolution, ensuring compliance with constitutional protections, due process, and investor confidence while addressing the substantive concerns raised by the President regarding procurement irregularities and fiscal accountability.
