The National Road Fund (NRF) and East International Construction, the company implementing the ELWA—RIA Highway pavement project, have refused to honor the citation of the House of Representatives to appear before its plenary. Consequently, they have been resummoned under contempt for failing to appear before the legislative body.
The House took the decision on Tuesday, February 25, during the 11th day sitting of the 1st quarter of the 2nd session, following appearances by the ministries of Public Works and Finance.
It can be recalled that the House of Representatives previously summoned the Ministers of Finance, Justice, Public Works, the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC), and the National Road Fund (NRF) to provide updates and clarity on a $100 million investment loan implemented by East International Road Construction Company. However, East Construction failed to appear, instead submitting an excuse letter stating that the CEO (Chairman) and financial manager were not in Liberia.
According to the company, the two officials had returned to China for the holidays and would not return to Liberia until early April 2025—an excuse lawmakers deemed disrespectful and flimsy.
Following a heated debate on the House’s floor, plenary voted to summon East Construction’s senior management to appear before its full plenary with all relevant documents, including travel tickets, and to show cause why they should not be held in contempt for impeding legislative function. Additionally, the Director-General of the National Road Fund, Josetta Neufville-Wento, has also been summoned to appear under contempt.
The entities are expected to appear before full plenary on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., along with the previously summoned Ministers of Finance, Justice, Public Works, and officials from the Public Procurement Concession Commission (PPCC) and the National Road Fund (NRF) to provide updates and clarity on the $100 million investment loan.