Monrovia,Liberia: Public Works Minister, Mombutu Nyenpan says saga relating to the payment of the road fund by all petroleum importers have been settled.
By Trokon Freeman-www.trokonfreeman@gmail
“The case has been withdrawn by the parties concerned”.
According to him, the Legislature has approved the collection of 40 cents levied on every petroleum product brought into the country.
The Public Works Minister spoke during the weekend in Paynesville, at the ground breaking ceremony of the rehabilitation of road from Coco Cola Factory to ELWA Junction.
The 53rd Liberian Legislature passed an Act called the “National Road Fund” for the purpose of financing road and bridge maintenance works and directly associated planning, programming and management activities, obligating petroleum importers to pay US 25 cents on every gallon of petroleum.
The cumulative sum from these charges was projected to be US$30 million for 2017.
In an attempt to collect the charges from petroleum importers, Srimex Oil & Gas sought a stay on the action from the Supreme Court, arguing that the IMSC is acting in contravention of the law.
The Justice in Chambers, Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh granted the petitioner’s request, staying the action and ordering all parties to return to the status quo.
Meanwhile, Minister Nyenpan has said government has organized a program to facilitate the payment of those who are to be affected directly as a result of imminent demolition during the period of the road rehabilitation work.
Minister Nyenpan urged beneficiaries to have themselves relocated effective September this year.
“Demolition of structures along the road corridor will begin October 1, 2018,” he said.
The Public Works Minister also warned those who received money along the Coco Cola Factory-Guinean border highway to start leaving, as demolition of structures begins in October, 2018.
Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, Miss Ingreid Wetterquest spoke on behalf of the European Union (EU).
Ambassador Wetterquest said the road construction work would provide employment and expand economic growth.
The US 10.5 million dollars project is being financed by the World Bank, European Union, the governments of Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Liberia, and the United Kingdom.
