MONROVIA – The President of the Liberia Business Association (LIBA), Mr. James Strother, held a press conference on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the headquarters of LIBA in Monrovia to address growing concerns surrounding the operations of MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) in Liberia. The press briefing aimed to inform the public, especially the business community, about the ongoing controversy and the impact on Liberian businesses.
“We want to ensure that the public and business community understand what is happening,” Strother said. “LIBA remains the voice of the indigenous business community, and it is our duty to brief the people about the critical issues affecting the business landscape in Liberia.”
According to Strother, the problems began in 2021 under the late Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) Commissioner General Thomas Doe Nah. The introduction of MEDTECH Scientific Limited (MTS) was initially seen as a step toward modernizing the clearing process for goods at the National Port Authority (NPA) by introducing advanced scanning equipment. However, Strother expressed concerns from the start. “While the idea seemed promising, I questioned whether it would work and suggested that revenue from existing operations could be redirected to help the government purchase its own equipment.”
Despite these early reservations, MEDTECH was contracted to build warehouses and expedite the clearance process for Liberian businesses importing goods from abroad. However, Strother highlighted that the company’s promises were never fulfilled. “Eight months passed without any visible progress, and when we requested the contract for review, the LRA, under the leadership of Henry Saamoi, Deputy for Customs, and Thomas Doe Nah, refused to provide it.”
Strother also detailed the internal conflict that ensued between two MEDTECH entities—one from Dubai and the other fronted by a Ghanaian woman posing as a Liberian. This conflict led to the freezing of MEDTECH’s accounts, which delayed the company’s operations and further complicated the business environment.
LIBA’s president criticized the handling of customs fees, noting that MEDTECH inflated charges, multiplying the invoiced amount by three, which crippled small Liberian businesses. “This practice has been detrimental to our local entrepreneurs. It burdens businesses with unnecessary credit, pushing them further into financial hardship.”
Despite repeated efforts to address the situation, Strother said LIBA’s concerns were ignored under President George Weah’s administration. When President Joseph Boakai took office, Strother wrote several letters to various government officials, including the Justice Ministry, the Public Procurement & Concessions Commission (PPCC), and the Ministry of Commerce, urging them to review the contract with MEDTECH. “This contract is criminal in nature. The company is collecting revenue on false pretenses, providing none of the promised services while profiting from our suffering.”
Although Strother has been invited to participate in an investigation led by the Senate, he remains frustrated by the lack of progress. “I wrote to Senate Pro Tempore Madam Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and was invited to testify. However, when I appeared before the committee, chaired by Senator Amara Konneh, I was told I would be called again for a special forum, but that has yet to happen.”
Strother concluded by expressing his belief that the documents he submitted to President Boakai may never have reached him, as he has yet to receive any acknowledgment or response. “Liberians are being suppressed, and both business owners and end consumers are suffering. We need to address these issues, but it seems like someone is obstructing the process.”
The controversy surrounding MEDTECH Scientific Limited continues to unfold, with Liberia’s business community eagerly awaiting a resolution that will ease the burdens on local entrepreneurs and restore faith in the government’s commitment to transparent business practices.
