Africa-Press – Liberia. Circumstances or actions leading to the suspension, exit, and nomination of new commissioners to the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA) by President Boakai have come under Senate inquiry at the Capitol, with conflicting accounts being provided.
The Chairperson-designate for the Liberia Telecommunication Authority (LTA), Clarence Massaquoi, provides contradicting and dangling statements about the Government of Liberia’s potential settlement agreement with former commissioners of the LTA, to create vacancies for him and four other persons nominated by President Joseph Boakai to the institution.
Concern about the settlement agreement was raised by Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon, who questioned the commissioner-designate and his co-commissioners regarding their knowledge and viewing of a document signed by now suspended LTA Commissioner, Abdullah Kamara, regarding contracts with former commissioners of the LTA.
Senator Dillon queried the new commissioner-designate whether it was within his knowledge that the government, particularly the Executive headed by President Boakai, had entered into a settlement agreement contract with his predecessor to create a vacancy under the condition of “payment and vacancy”?
Responding, LTA Commissioner-designate, Clarence Massaquoi, admitted that he had heard a conversation about a potential agreement with his predecessor, but clarified that he had not seen a document to that effect, instead of a letter of resignation that he had in his possession from his predecessor.
Accordingly, he stated that, he only heard about discussion around possibility that there could be contract saying, “Yes I have.” However, he assured that when he is confirmed by the Senate, or even prior to confirmation, once he comes into contact with those contracts, he will bring them to the attention of the Liberian Senate.
“Are we in the know of a contract agreement for settlement between my predecessors and the government? Board decisions are taken in the Board room by resolution. I saw copies of the resignation. However, in those letters, I didn’t see condition set in. Has there been discussion around those who were commissioners? Yes. I said to the chair that I keep hearing that there are conversations. In those conversations, did those conversations come to the attention of the Board? This is what we have in place; I am not sure that this Board will be insensitive. I will ask the chair and the members of the committee that I am aware of resignation before me, but I don’t have contract,” the LTA acting Commissioner stated.
However, displeased with the response of the Commissioner-designate, Senator Dillon called the nominee to order, urging him to be straightforward and explicit regarding the contract agreement, specifically if he had seen the contract and what its details were.
“Mr. Nominee, I only asked if you have seen the contract. Now, to answer your question, are you using legislative words? Please be clear and don’t speak to me as if you are on legislative floor,” Dillon demanded.
Massaquoi responded: To be clear, this Board has not received any contract. I have not spoken to the validity of the contract. I say that this Board, as a Board, has no contract. However, if it were to come to the attention of this Board, this Board can’t ignore it.”
Dillion, also speaking on tenure protection and the Supreme Court of Liberia’s definition of tenure contract, said that the Supreme Court has prescribed tenure as a contractor under Article 25 of the Constitution of Liberia; therefore, it should not be impend, while stating that if the Liberian Senate confirms the commissioners-designate, they will be confirming them to positions to which there have been occupants in those positions with current contract that should be protected by law.
Accordingly, he contended that if the Senate confirms them, they will be aiding and abetting a violation of the Constitution and contract agreement under the law, while asking the commissioner to give his perspective if it’s true or not.
Responding to the senator’s question and concern, the LTA Commissioner-designate acknowledged Article 25 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia but argued that the same Constitution grants the President, in this case, Joseph N. Boakai, the authority to nominate and appoint with the consent of the Liberian Senate.
However, he clarified that the positions for which they have been nominated are all vacant, despite failing to provide a record or proof of his predecessor’s resignation.
According to him, there was a Supreme Court ruling, and in line with the ruling, President Boakai determined and decided to suspend. The Court ruled that, by exercising his administrative power, the President was entirely acting within the Constitution to make the decision he made, arguing that the President was in no error regarding his nominations.
“Senator, yes, the law provides for such. We read the law fully. Obliviously, we can’t dispute Article 25 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia. So, if the tenure position is not vacant, then there is an implication there. However, as far as we are concerned and to the best of our knowledge, all five positions are currently vacant. And so, therefore, it now gives the President the right, legally and constitutionally, to nominate for the filling of those positions. So, if I were to be confirmed by the Liberian Senate, I would be going into a position that is vacant. And by that, the very Article 25 of the Constitution will be implemented. So, Article 25 of the Constitution is guaranteed, but there is a portion of the Constitution that gives the President the power to nominate and appoint with the consent of the senate.” He clarified.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, the five commissioners nominated by President Boakia appeared before the Liberian Senate for confirmation hearing. The hearing, which lasted until 7:15 pm, was presided over by River Gee County Senator and Chair of the Committee on Posts and Telecommunications, Francis Dopoh.
Source: Liberia news The New Dawn Liberia,
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