Published: April 7, 2026
Mr. Clarence Massaquoi, Chairman, Liberia Telecommunications Authority
MONROVIA — A special joint committee of the Liberian Legislature is calling on the government to renegotiate rather than cancel its concession agreement with Telecommunications International Africa, rejecting any attempt to replace the company with a new contractor and warning that doing so would constitute a flagrant violation of the Constitution of Liberia.
The committee, set up by both chambers to review the agreement between the Liberia Telecommunications Authority and TIA, delivered its findings following a joint concession committee meeting and stopped well short of endorsing the government’s decision to suspend the contract. Instead, it demanded the suspension be lifted immediately and that no new agreement be signed while the TIA deal remains legally valid.
“The Government of Liberia should immediately lift the suspension of the TIA/LTA Concession Agreement to continue telecommunications traffic monitoring,” the committee said in its report. “The continued suspension is causing substantial revenue losses and exposing the country to national security risks. Liberia cannot afford to operate without an active telecommunications monitoring system, particularly in light of increased risks associated with drug trafficking, cross-border smuggling and disputes, and revenue challenges due to external conflicts.”
The committee is composed of Rep. Albert Chie, Rep. Emmanuel Nuquay, Rep. Simeon Taylor, Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh, Rep. Ivar K. Jones and Rep. Judith Wiah.
A Mystery Company Emerges
At the center of the committee’s alarm is the emergence of a previously unknown entity called NUMTEL JVC Liberia, which appears to have been introduced by the LTA as a potential replacement for TIA. The committee said little is known about the company, that no due diligence has been conducted, and that only one individual, identified as James Sackie, appears as a signatory on its documents.
The committee said the attempt to bring in NUMTEL while the ratified TIA agreement remains in force amounts to unlawful interference with a contractual relationship and constitutes a serious violation of Article 25 of the Constitution as well as the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission Act, which requires that contracts be administered according to their terms.
“It is the Conference Committee’s considered opinion that the Government of Liberia respects the commercial law doctrine enshrined in the TIA Contract, which states that the contract remains binding unless lawfully amended or terminated,” the report said. “The Government has undertaken none of these lawful steps before initiating negotiations with a new investor, thereby acting outside the established legal framework.”
Rule of Law at Stake
The committee’s report drew a direct line between the government’s handling of the TIA contract and Liberia’s broader credibility as a destination for foreign investment. The TIA agreement was ratified, signed, published and executed for more than three years before any dispute arose, the committee noted, arguing that reversing a ratified agreement under such circumstances sets a dangerous precedent.
“De-ratification under these circumstances undermines the rule of law and jeopardizes the country’s investment climate,” the report said.
The committee further warned that proceeding with a new contract for the same services covered by the TIA agreement would undermine legislative authority, violate constitutional and statutory protections, and expose the Republic to international claims that could prove costly and damaging to Liberia’s reputation abroad.
Rather than voiding the agreement outright, the committee said the government should pursue renegotiation, citing the need to protect the sanctity of contracts under Article 20 of the Constitution, avoid expensive international arbitration, preserve investor confidence, and prevent the continued loss of revenue the government urgently needs to fund national security and development priorities.
The concession agreement between the LTA and TIA had been suspended by the government following what officials described as irregularities. The Executive subsequently submitted the matter to the Legislature for review and recommendations — a process that has now produced findings at odds with the apparent direction of the administration.
The government has not publicly responded to the committee’s recommendations.
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