The Liberian Senate has ratified a mineral development agreement between Hummingbird Resource and the Government of Liberia, estimated at US$250 million, amidst a walkout portest from four senators.
The four Senators Gbleh-bo Brown of Maryland County, Prince Johnson of Nimba County, Sando Johnson of Bomi County and Oscar Cooper of Margibi County walked out of session on Thursday, February 28, in protest arguing that the deal should have been debated on the floor before its passage into.
The agreement is intended to develop gold in Sinoe County and other parts of the Southeast.
Maryland County Sen. Gbleh-bo Brown argues that the report authorizing the passage was given to Senators a day before it was passed, adding that it was the day coincided with ongoing impeachment hearing against Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh, therefore not many senators had the opportunity to read it.
He complains that there was no time to go through the report for a debate.The Maryland County Senator further argues that the Senate’s rules require that a report should be brought during the second hearing for debate before senators can decide on passing it or not.
He laments that they were denied the opportunity to debate the issue on the floor, expressing his disappointment in the process and those that even signed the report.
Sen. Brown complains that the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) is for 25 years and it’s not something that can be passed so fast without debating it.
Also giving reason for his walkout, Bomi Senator Sando Johnson says the Senate is proceeding wrongly.
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He says issues of this nature should have been given due diligence, order than to pass the agreement in haste.
“I’m worried that the country is going to suffer because passing laws of such is worrisome. We can see people are now in the street demonstrating. We should be making laws to stop all these,” Sen. Johnson continues.
He notes that whenever reports are sent to their various offices, they should be brought on the floor for discussion so that the public can be informed of what they are discussing.
Meanwhile, Hummingbird is expected to pay a signature fee of US$3 million to the Government of Liberia, with US$1.5 million to be paid within 15 days of the effective date.US$1.5 million will be paid to obtain the license. Under the agreement, is expected to retain 3 percent of revenue generated from the gold found.
The agreement further allows 10 percent shares for Liberians.
Hummingbird is expected to pay all other taxes and duties as set out in a fiscal agreement.
The key benefits in the Hummingbird Agreement include jobs which comprise over 1,000 direct jobs and around 2,500 indirect jobs that are to be provided.
The Agreement is expected to be forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence and subsequently submitted to President George Manneh Weah for his approval.
By Ethel A. Tweh –Edited by Winston W. Parley
