Monrovia, Liberia — A scheduled hearing to address complaints regarding irregularities in a recent bidding process conducted by the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) was unexpectedly postponed today, despite prior notifications to the involved parties.

The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) had arranged the hearing for November 26, 2024, at its offices.

However, the SATZ Group, the complainant prompting the hearing, was informed that proceedings could not continue due to the LTA's failure to present its defense.

Sources indicate that the LTA's legal representative, Cllr. Emmanuel Somah, was unable to attend due to complications related to the bidding process.

As a result, the LTA formally requested a postponement, which the PPCC hearing board accepted, with a new date to be determined later.

This delay has raised significant concerns among stakeholders, especially amid an ongoing investigation into the complaint filed by the SATZ Group.

The LTA's repeated postponements have intensified suspicions of potential corruption within the bidding process for the critical Cybersecurity project.

Critics argue that the LTA's actions suggest a preference for obfuscation over transparency, undermining the integrity of the procurement process.

Currently, the LTA has not disclosed the identity of the winning bidder for the Cybersecurity project, leading to increased speculation and unrest within the industry.

SATZ's head, Aloysius S. Zayzay, has publicly asserted that his company was disqualified from the bidding despite meeting all necessary requirements, raising serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the LTA's evaluation process.

The allegations made by SATZ underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the LTA's procurement practices.

The lack of clarity surrounding the selection process continues to erode trust among potential bidders and stakeholders, prompting industry observers to call for immediate action to ensure accountability and restore confidence in the bidding process.

Meanwhile, SATZ is calling on the Center for Transparency and Accountability of Liberia (CENTAL) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for updates on its complaint filed on October 9 of this year.