Monrovia – Senator Amara Konneh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, has raised critical considerations over the federal government’s failure to implement the availability of Part 4.4 of the Small Enterprise Empowerment Act of 2014, which mandates that no less than 25% of all public procurement for items and companies within the nationwide funds be allotted to Liberian-owned Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
By Obediah Johnson
In a proper communication to the Senate, mentioned throughout its common session on Tuesday, June 24, Senator Konneh lamented that greater than a decade for the reason that legislation was enacted, there’s little to no proof of its enforcement.
He stated the intent of the laws is to extend native participation within the financial system, stimulate home manufacturing, create employment, and assist construct a resilient Liberian non-public sector.
“A decade after its passage, there’s inadequate knowledge within the public area to find out whether or not this provision is being enforced and if the supposed beneficiaries—Liberian-owned companies—are certainly gaining from public procurement alternatives,” Senator Konneh said.
He referred to as for a complete overview of the implementation of Part 4.4, together with the convening of a public listening to to evaluate the extent of compliance and to discover measures to strengthen enforcement.
Key Suggestions
Senator Konneh really useful that the Ministry of Finance and Improvement Planning (MFDP) be required to current an in depth report back to the Senate outlining:
- The whole worth and proportion of public procurement awarded to Liberian-owned companies over the previous 5 fiscal years.
- A classification of beneficiary companies by sector, dimension, and possession.
- An inventory of compliant and non-compliant authorities entities.
- Mechanisms for monitoring, verifying, and imposing the 25% procurement requirement.
He additionally urged the Senate to ask key stakeholders to testify, together with representatives from the MFDP, the Public Procurement and Concessions Fee (PPCC), the Ministry of Commerce and Business, and Liberian non-public sector organizations.
Senator Konneh emphasised the significance of figuring out structural and coverage boundaries that hinder the complete implementation of the legislation, and the necessity for potential legislative or regulatory reforms to make sure compliance, transparency, and equity.
“This overview and listening to won’t solely promote oversight and transparency in implementing this legislation but additionally reaffirm the Senate’s dedication to legal guidelines crucial to empowering Liberian entrepreneurs to be contributors—not spectators—in their very own financial system,” he asserted.
Senate Responds
Following Senator Konneh’s communication, the Plenary of the Liberian Senate, which is the physique’s highest decision-making discussion board, has instructed its related committees to launch a proper investigation into the matter.
The investigation is predicted to judge the present standing of the Act’s implementation and make suggestions to make sure Liberian-owned companies obtain the financial help envisioned beneath the legislation.
