LIBERIA – It appears that pressure by some citizens of Bomi County to compel the George Weah Government to do the legal thing in the so-called Western Cluster Iron Ores deal has failed; and that those who are engaged in this ‘corrupt transaction’ are still carrying out their trade with no reprimand from the government.
A writ filed to the Supreme Court of Liberia to halt the operations of the Indian-Owned Western Cluster Limited until due diligence is done on their contract with the Liberian Government has been rejected by the court.
And hours after the high court ruling, Smart News Liberia discovered that iron ores which were controversially mined from Bomi County and deposited at the Freeport of Monrovia by the Western Cluster Limited were exported without official approval from the Liberian Government.
Documents in the possession of Smart News revealed that 19.001 Metric Tons of the ores allegedly valued at over US$5 Million were recently lifted on board the MV Galini from the Freeport of Monrovia.
There were no government inspectors, no evidence of Royalty payment, and no approval for export when the ores were covertly taken out of the country.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industries, the agency of Government that should have inspected, evaluated, and given final approval for the exportation of the Iron Ores did not sign the export documents.
According to sources from the Freeport of Monrovia, OBT which is said to be the agent of Western Cluster Limited allegedly facilitated the loading of the vessel that took out the iron ores without the knowledge and approval of the Ministry of Commerce. OBT could not be reached for comment, despite efforts by Smart News Liberia.
It is alleged that the shipment was done before the agent of Western Cluster Limited sought the approval of the ministry.
Our sources stated that officials at the Ministry of Commerce refused to sign the export documents first because it had no official Central Bank receipt as proof of payment of the Government’s royalty; and secondly, because inspectors of the ministry were not present when the iron ores were loaded on the ship by OBT.
The people of Bomi County have accused their own senator of alleged “criminal negotiation” with Western Cluster limited and that they were soliciting signatures for his removal from the Liberian Senate.
The leader of the group, Charles Browne says Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe has Let-down the people of Bomi by allegedly “Criminally” negotiating the western cluster deal that waved legitimate taxes owed to the people of Liberia.
According to Mr. Charles Browne, Senator Snowe led a team that allegedly included the Minister of Mines, Gesler Murray that went to India to encourage Western Cluster to return to Liberia.
Browne said the citizens are not just calling for the impeachment of Snows, but are demanding the immediate removal of the Western Cluster from Bomi.
An MOU reached between the Liberian Government and Western Cluster has subordinated the mineral development agreement reached between the Liberian Government and Western Cluster.
“Snowe was the lead negotiator who went to India and criminally and maliciously brought the firm back to Liberia and illegally waved taxes it owes the country.
“He criminally reduced a US24m tax obligation of Western Cluster to Liberia”, said Browne; adding that the Senator has let down the people of Bomi and must be removed as the county’s Senator.
Ten thousand signatures are needed to effect the impeachment of the senator, according to Browne.
Senator Snowe has denied any wrongdoing and insisted he acted in the interest of the people of Bomi County.
Meanwhile, Smart News Liberia has gathered that in wake of the failure of the Supreme Court of Liberia to place an injunction on activities of Western Cluster, some Bomi citizens based abroad are now said to be working with International groups to arrest and prosecute anyone in the Weah Government linked to the illegal Western Cluster deal.
Our sources in the United States has revealed that some Bomi citizens in that country have agreed to call on the United States Government to sanction all those who exploiting the inaction of the Weah Government in the case.
According to our sources, all documents on the Western Cluster deal have been forwarded to international rights groups and governments for possible action.
