The House of Representatives has charged authorities of East International Construction Ltd. with contempt and summoned the company to appear before it along with the Ministry of Public Works on Thursday, June 29 at 12:00 noon to state why they should not be held in contempt for failure to appear before it after several citations.
East Int’l Construction Ltd Company was contracted by the government through the Ministry of Public Works to expand and reconstruct the Roberts International Airport Highway to ELWA Junction.
The 45-kilometre road project, estimated at US$ 116 million, is expected to be concluded in 2024.
In a communication to plenary, Montserrado County District 6 Representative, Samuel Enders, alleged that the removed asphalt pavements from the ongoing RIA road construction were being sold to locals by the company for US$175 per truck load.
Representative Enders informed his colleagues that when he inquired from one Mr. Kelvin Boimah, a consultant, he was insulted and threatened; something that prompted the House’s leadership to invite authorities of the company on four separate occasions, to clarify the allegations but to no avail.
The latest action on the part of the company, contravenes rule 4 of the House of Representatives.
According to the HOR Rule 4, “Contempt of the Legislature shall consist of actions which obstruct the Legislative function or which obstruct or impede members or officers of the Legislature in the discharge of their Legislative duties,” and is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and/or imprisonment in a common jail for not more than one month or the duration of the current session of the House; after a hearing consistent with due process of law. Decisions rendered from contempt charges are not appealable.”
In a related development, the East Construction Ltd company is also expected to speak to the intent of the road construction and straight adherence to the supervisory arm of the Government, the Ministry of Public Works.
They are also expected to provide updates on the status of the ongoing RIA road construction and possible detour routes to avoid congestion.
