MONROVIA- The Liberia Business Association (LBA) has announced its intention to take the government to court if it fails to cancel the controversial contract with MedTec Liberia, assigned at the Freeport of Monrovia.
By Francis G. Boayue
LBA, through its president James Strother on Wednesday, in a press conference, has accused MedTec of corruption, incompetence, and incapacity to live up to the terms enshrined on the contract, thus demanding full restitution of all funds collected by the company over the years.
The LIBA President expressed his deep concerns over the ongoing contract between the government and MedTec.
The contract, which has been in place for several years, has been accused of grossly violating the terms of its agreement coupled with troubling discrepancies in its operations and commitments to the country as enshrined in the agreement.
It can be recalled that the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) led-government of ex-President George Weah, signed a 10-year contract with Medtech in July 2021 to conduct Destination Inspection of containers and to provide Verification of Conformity services at the Freeport of Monrovia.
The company that replaces BIVAC whose contract with the government expires in July 2021, stand accused of allegedly being awarded a “dubious and questionable” contract worth US$18M with the Government and the establishment of a secret financial account in Dubai unknown to the other parties involved with the deal.
MedTech Scientific Dubai is the parent company for both local MedTech companies, including MedTech Scientific Liberia, Limited; the local Liberian registered Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) executing company of the contract.
The CEO of MedTech Scientific Inspection Services, another Liberian registered company that implemented the same DI contract while the owners of the local SPV (MedTech Scientific Liberia, Limited) were in dispute.
However, Mr. Strother, in a more angry tone further claimed that MedTec has failed to deliver on its promises but has instead been used as a conduit to exploit huge revenues at the detriment of struggling Libeiran businesses.
According to him, since the illegal entry of the company into Liberia by the previous administration, they are yet to deliver on promises made which include the bringing in of a scanning machine, building of a warehouse, ensuring the clearing of goods be done electronically among others.
He also accused MedTech of being engaged into corrupt practices that have not only undermined the quality of clearing containers from the port but have also resulted in significant financial losses for the government and business community.
“We have gathered substantial evidence that MedTec has been involved in corrupt activities, including overpricing and the delaying of business people goods which is greatly affecting our business people,” he said.
The LIBA Boss further described MedTec as incompetent and incapacitated, claiming that the company has consistently failed to meet its contractual obligations, leading to a unfavorable business clinate in the country.
He is at the same time calling for a thorough investigation into MedTec’s operations, urging President Joseph Boakai to ensure that his government take immediate action to terminate the company’s contract.
“If the government fails to act, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action to protect the interests of our members and the people of Liberia and note, we will not just use the Supreme Court alone but also the ECOWAS Court,” Strother added.
