The plenary of the House of Representatives has turned down the proposed “Act to Ratify the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and the Bao Chico Resources Liberia Limited”.
The lawmakers instructed the return of the agreement to the Liberian Senate on ground that it bridges the Constitution of Liberia.
The lawmakers in session reached a unanimous decision when Lofa County Representative, Clarence Massaquoi, made the motion, quoting Article 34, d (i) which among other things says, “All revenue bills, whether subsidies, charges, imports, duties or taxes and other financial bills shall originate in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bill.”
Speaking further with this Constitutional reliance, the lawmakers argued that discussion of the proposed agreement should have started with the House of Representatives, and not the Liberian Senate.
The proposed law, “An Act to Ratify the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and the Bao Chico Resources of Liberia”, was passed by the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, November 7, 2021 at the hour of 16:16 GMT, thus seeking the concurrence of the House of Representatives.