Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Clarence Massaquoi, President Boakai’s nominee for Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), has denied stories that the federal government signed a monetary settlement take care of ousted tenured commissioners in alternate for his or her departure.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
Showing earlier than the Senate Committee on Posts and Telecommunications, Massaquoi mentioned he has not seen any contract providing financial compensation to the previous commissioners, although he acknowledged that discussions might have taken place.
“I’ve seen the resignations. There have been no situations acknowledged in these letters. If there have been conversations, I’m not conscious of their specifics,” Massaquoi informed senators.
Background to the Controversy
Underneath the Telecommunications Act of 2007, LTA commissioners are appointed for four-year phrases, renewable as soon as. They’re shielded from elimination with out trigger throughout their tenure. In February 2024, President Joseph Boakai nominated a brand new slate of commissioners regardless of the incumbents nonetheless serving legally binding phrases.
The transfer triggered authorized challenges, and on April 25, 2024, the Supreme Courtroom dominated the nominations unconstitutional, affirming that the tenured officers couldn’t be prematurely changed. Nevertheless, inside 24 hours of the ruling, President Boakai suspended the commissioners, citing allegations of economic mismanagement and a pending GAC audit, and appointed an performing board.
Subsequently, rumors emerged {that a} settlement settlement was reached, involving massive payouts to the suspended commissioners to facilitate their exit and clear the way in which for brand new appointments.
Massaquoi: “No Settlement Contract Seen”
Massaquoi dismissed information of such a deal however admitted that conversations across the concern have surfaced.
“I’ve heard about these conversations, however earlier than me, there isn’t any settlement contract. This present Board has not acquired any such settlement,” he acknowledged.
Pressed on whether or not such a contract might have been signed by suspended performing Chair Abdullah Kamara, Massaquoi mentioned he couldn’t validate any settlement signed on behalf of the LTA with out official information.
“If these conversations are delivered to the eye of the Board, I don’t suppose we might be insensitive,” he added.
Regardless of the Supreme Courtroom’s ruling defending tenured positions, Massaquoi defended the President’s appointments, citing the implication that the positions had been made vacant by way of resignation—voluntary or in any other case.
“If the positions are actually vacant, then the President has the constitutional authority to appoint new commissioners,” Massaquoi argued.
Nevertheless, authorized analysts observe that Article 25 of the Liberian Structure prohibits legal guidelines or actions that impair present contracts, together with tenured appointments—some extent Massaquoi acknowledged however didn’t totally reconcile with the administration’s actions.
