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Liberia: Finance Warns FDA Against Indebted Logging Companies
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The NEWS (Monrovia)
3 July 2008
Posted to the web 3 July 2008
Monrovia
The Ministry of Finance has cautioned the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) against qualifying logging companies that are in huge tax arrears with government.
The Ministry disclosed that some of these logging companies prior to 2003, were owing forestry related taxes, but are now seeking to be pre-qualified for FDA ongoing bidding process without settling their tax obligations.
The Finance Ministry made specific reference to the Liberia Tree & Trading Corporation which is indebted to government in the tune of US$165,614.00.
In a letter dated June 16, 2008 and addressed to FDA Managing Director John Woods, Finance Minister Dr. Antoinette Sayeh advised the FDA to disallow bid or pre-qualification documents from the Liberia Tree & Trading Corporation.
Finance Ministry said besides the Liberia Tree & Trading Corporation's tax arrears, it was alleged to have obtained a 'fraudulent' letter of credit and Government tax clearance which required a probe of the company.
The Ministry indicated that the Public Procurement and Concession Act (PPCA) prohibits company in tax arrears and with such fraudulent record from participating in logging operation.
"We wish to convey the Ministry of Finance's position that companies under this category should not be allowed to bid for Timber sales and Forestry Management Contracts," a letter signed by Sayeh emphasized.
A source speaking on condition of anonymity said FDA authorities are said to be having 'personal interest' in the Liberia Tree & Trading Corporation which is headed by a Liberian identified as Ricks Tweh.
Our reporter made several efforts to contact authorities of the Liberia Tree & Trading Corporation through mobile phone but to no avail.
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FDA authorities also declined to comment on the matter when our reporter made several contacts with relevant officials there.
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