Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. advocates for a measured approach to the TIA Agreement dispute, emphasizing legal sanctity and the need for renegotiation over outright cancellation.
Monrovia, Liberia, May 13, 2026: Bomi County Senator and Chairman of Liberia’s Delegation to ECOWAS, Hon.. Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., has announced that the Liberian Senate is thoroughly reviewing the controversial TIA Agreement.. During a live interview on OK FM on Tuesday, Senator Snowe underscored the Senate’s commitment to the due legislative process and open dialogue.. His comments come amid public and legislative scrutiny of the deal’s legality, transparency, and national significance.. He called for
a comprehensive renegotiation of the agreement before any final decisions are taken, emphasizing that national interest and critical infrastructure contracts must adhere to established constitutional and legal frameworks.. “We should respect the sanctity of contracts,” Senator Snowe asserted, cautioning that rash actions could undermine investor confidence and Liberia’s reputation for honoring its legal obligations.. He stressed the importance of mediation and engagement rather than unilateral decisions.. Highlighting the legislative divide, Snowe revealed that while the
House of Representatives voted to cancel or de-ratify the TIA Agreement, the Senate opted not to concur.. “The House of Representatives took a decision to cancel or de-ratify, but the Senate did not take that decision,” he explained.. To address the impasse, the Senate has formed a conference committee to review the matter and consult with key stakeholders to seek common ground.. Snowe reaffirmed the Senate’s support for renegotiation, stating, “Even if the LTA wants
it canceled, there should be mediation.” The TIA Agreement has become a flashpoint in national discourse amid concerns about transparency, oversight, and management of Liberia’s telecommunications infrastructure.. TIA was originally granted a concession in 2018 to monitor telecom traffic and combat fraud, with its agreement subsequently extended in 2022 through legislative action.. However, following audit reports by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) that alleged procurement violations and possible fraud,
President Joseph Boakai suspended the agreement on October 31, 2025, through Executive Order No.. 154.. The audits found that the agreement was awarded despite recommendations from the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) and noted that TIA was incorporated in the United States only days after receiving bid documents and registered in Liberia months after securing the contract.. Further, the agreement was reportedly amended to increase TIA’s revenue share from 35% to 49% and extended
for an additional 20 years without adequate justification.. In response, President Boakai ordered an immediate halt to the agreement’s implementation and instructed the Ministry of Justice to take legal action.. The Executive Mansion also urged the Legislature to de-ratify the deal and directed the LTA and PPCC to identify a qualified replacement.. While the House of Representatives supported de-ratification, the Senate raised constitutional concerns, arguing that the dispute should follow the contract’s resolution procedures.. In
an official communication, the Senate cited Article 20(a) of the Liberian Constitution on due process and Article 25, which protects contracts from impairment, and instead recommended renegotiation and the formation of a conference committee to reconcile legislative differences.. As the controversy unfolds, calls for transparency, accountability, and robust oversight over strategic national agreements continue to grow.. Lawmakers, policy analysts, and civil society organizations are united in demanding that future contracts involving Liberia’s critical infrastructure are
subjected to full legislative scrutiny and public review.
TIA Agreement, Liberia Senate, Edwin Snowe, Telecom Contract, Government Oversight, Joseph Boakai, Procurement