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MedTech is accused of engaging in bribery and has allegedly been granted duty-free by the Liberia Revenue Authority.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, September 25, 2024: The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) have begun providing conflicting information regarding the controversial US$150,000 MedTech Scientific Limited (MTS) provided for the purchase of vehicles.
Recently, Liberia’s Commerce Minister Amin Modad was accused of receiving a gift from MedTech Scientific to purchase a vehicle valued at US$150,000.
The report says the vehicle is meant for Modad’s personal use. MedTech is a business institution in Liberia.
MedTech is accused of engaging in alleged bribery and has allegedly been granted a duty-free by the Liberia Revenue Authority.
Minister Modad Modad said he remains resolute and is not deterred by the US$150,000 corruption scandal against his character.
Through his Facebook account, Mr. Modad said he has not received any gift from any business, let alone a car as being maliciously spewed.
“I value my integrity and cherish this unique privilege to serve my people. I remain resolute and will not be deterred,” said Modad.
He further indicated that his assets, as declared on April 11, 2024, include a boat (not a yacht as being deceptively propagated).
Over the last 20 years, Modad argued that he has purposely published and posted on Facebook any new investment and all his projects.
He said the reason was to prevent anyone from accusing him of acquiring them illegally or after assuming public office.
“No custom-made, bulletproof vehicle, costing US$150k, was purchased as outrageously being posted; the photos being posted are, in fact, photos of former US President Trump’s vehicle,” Moada claimed.
According to critics, the gift from the private business allegedly received by the Minister is against the Code of Conduct and Laws of Liberia.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has released a statement dated September 23, 2024, saying its attention has been drawn to recent media reports concerning the purchase of a vehicle for the Ministry of Commerce.
The LRA release under the signature of its Communication Manager D. Kaihenneh Sengbeh debunked the report and clarified that it has not purchased a vehicle valued at US$150,000.
However, it confirmed the approval of the MoCI’s request for US$96,000.00 from its Customs Capacity Building Fund in early May 2024.
The money was requested under the Destination Inspection (DI) Contract held with MedTech Scientific Limited for the purchase of vehicles to support the MoCI.
The LRA stated that no duty-free clearance occurred for a yacht or boat.
Further, the LRA stated that its records show that in July 2024, Minister Modad cleared a “motor vessel” (boat) and paid the required duties.
Concerning bribery allegations, the LRA firmly denies involvement with bribes from MedTech or any other business or individual.
According to LRA, these vehicles are intended for trade-related activities in collaboration with Customs.
It added that the MoCI, not the LRA, determines the vehicles’ specifications and deployment within MoCI.
The LRA says this is the basis for the DI contract with MedTech, under which the LRA is entitled to a 20% share of the fees collected.
Upon the inception of the new LRA administration in March 2024, the LRA said its share under the DI Contract was held and managed by MedTech based on a previous arrangement between the former LRA leadership and MedTech.
The request from the Ministry of Commerce for logistical support and LRA’s subsequent approval was done at the time this fund was still held and managed by MedTech.
The LRA noted that the Supreme Court placed a stay order on the MedTech account in July 2023 and lifted it in June 2024.
As required by the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act, the LRA formally requested that the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) open an escrow account.
The essence was to deposit the 20% share, which had accumulated to US$3,381,035.99 at the time.
“The escrow account was opened on July 8, 2024, at Ecobank, and the funds were transferred from MEDTECH to the new account on July 11, 2024.”
“Since then, the LRA’s share has been deposited into the escrow account monthly. As of August 31, 2024, the balance in the account stood at US$3,457,718.34,” the LRA release noted.
It continued that allocating resources from the Customs Capacity Building Fund to the MoCI has been a standard practice for over eighteen years, spanning multiple customs inspection service contracts.
Background
Medtech Scientific Liberia Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle of Medtech Scientific Limited based in Dubai.
The company’s sole intent is to conduct Destination Inspection on behalf of the Government of Liberia.
According to the agreement, Medtech Scientific Liberia Limited, jointly operated by Mr. Abou-Hassan and Madame Angela List, is entitled to 80% of the fees collected, while the Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Revenue Authority, gets 20%.
