River Gee County’s district #3 Representative, Francis Saidy Dopoh, II, has formally written the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Bhofal Chambers, to recall the investment agreement of Fouani Brothers Corporation that was forwarded to the Liberian Senate, in order that they may correct an oversight of the House.
In the communication dated Monday, October 23, 2023, Representative Dopoh writes, “Kindly accept my motion to recall the Investment Agreement of Fouani Brothers Corporation forwarded to the Liberian Senate. My motion is in good faith and intended to correct an oversight of this Honorable House.
“In my review of this instrument, I notice that section 10.1, subsection C is inconsistent with the intent of granting the incentive to build and operate a palm oil refinery in Liberia. Kindly note that section 5.2 and 5.3 of the incentive agreement are reasonable grounds for granting such incentive, but section 10.1 subsection C has the propensity to undermine palm oil production in Liberia, by giving duty free to Fouani Brothers Corporation to import vegetable oil in Liberia.”
According to the letter, “The very huge investment in palm oil plantation in Liberia by GVL, MOPP, etc., will be destabilized if Fouani Brothers shall be given duty free for the importation of finished oil in Liberia. I pray that your leadership and this Honorable Body take legislative notice of my motion in the best interest of Liberia.”
Representative Dopoh’s letter is said to be the predominant expression of many lawmakers who insist that they have no knowledge about the passage of the bill by the House of Representatives.
It can be recalled that on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 the Hot Pepper reported that there is serious contention among members of the House of Representatives regarding the passage of the bill on September 6, 2023 when the House had retired for recess, after it was recalled by President George M. Weah from August 22 to September 5, 2023.
The Fouani Brothers’ bill, which was prepared on October 22, 2021, was signed by President Weah on September 5, 2023, approved by the House of Representative on September 6, 2023 and subsequently sent to the Liberian Senate for concurrence, but was tabled until actual work resumes at the Capitol.
Nevertheless, several representatives who were members of the 54th National Legislature are expressing descending views about the passage of the bill, claiming they know nothing about it. According to a Capitol Building source, while the House was on recess, a handful of lawmakers (names withheld) gathered at Royal Hotel and shared hundreds of thousands of United States dollars (amount withheld) to slink the bill without due diligence.
The source told the paper that the Senate are becoming skeptical and may not concur with the House, as several lawmakers are requesting that the bill be returned to the lower House for proper scrutiny, as the bill is not in the interest of the country and the citizenry.