By Bridgett Milton
The Plenary of the House of Representatives has fined the Acting Justice Minister and Acting Solicitor General of Liberia, Cllr. Nyenati Tuah L$4,999 cents.
The fine is imposed following a contempt charge, and it is to be paid in government revenue Friday, 3 March 2023. Cllr. Tuan is ordered to provide a receipt to be presented to the Chief Clerk’s office on Monday, 6 March 2023.
The decision to hold the Acting Justice Minister in contempt was reached on Thursday, 2 March during the House’s 14th Day Sitting of the 6th Session of the House of Representatives.
The decision was based on Minister Tuan’s refusal to appear Tuesday, 28 February before the House’s Plenary when he was written by the Chief Clerk.
The plenary cited the Minister to address the issue relating to the collection of the road fund from the petroleum importers and how the payment agreement was entered into.
The Acting Minister appeared to justify why he should not be held in contempt. He was asked to come along with his lawyer but dropped said right.
The House said Minister Tuan’s reasons for not appearing on Tuesday were unjustifiable and therefore, charged him with contempt.
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He told the august body that he could not appear because he was invited to the Liberian Senate on the same day. However, he failed to communicate with the House on his engagement with the Senate.
Petroleum Importers were invited to appear before the Plenary along with the National Road Fund (NRF), Liberia Petroleum and Refining Company (LPRC), and the Justice Minister.
Petroleum Importers who are indebted to the government appeared in full Plenary to give their payment plan.
The Plenary concluded to allow the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to work along with the importers in deriving the payment plan.
LRA was also asked to write an apology letter to the Plenary and be published in a newspaper after admitting that it takes the responsibility to collect the fund and not Justice Ministry.
LRA had earlier told the Plenary that Justice Ministry was responsible for the collection of the road fund.
