River Gee County Senator Francis S. Dopoh has written Senate Plenary to notify the Executive Branch of Government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning to re-characterize the Road User Exemption Permit granted to Bea Mountain Mining Company.
In a communication dated Tuesday, October 29, 2024, Senator Dopoh said he is concerned with the fiscal integrity of the country and the equitable treatment of all stakeholders in the mining industry.
“It has come to my attention that the exemption granted to Bea Mountain Mining Corporation under Section 24.2.a.viii (Road Uses Charges) of the First Amendment to the Restated and Amended Mineral Development Agreement is inconsistent with the overarching principles enshrined in the Liberia Revenue Code,” Senator Dopoh said.
The RiverGee County Senator said Section 17 of the Liberia Revenue Code speaks to Fiscal Stabilization, along with Section 15, the Anti-avoidance rule, which underscores the necessity for a uniform application of taxation framework.
According to him, Section 13.3 Subsection b of the Liberia Revenue Code clearly establishes the superiority of the Revenue Code over all other legislations concerning taxation matters.
He said the exemption provided to Bea Mountain on Road User Charges, which are critical for the maintenance of the very roads utilized by their operations, poses an inherent inequality in the Liberia mining sector.
He said such an exemption not only undermines the revenue that could be generated for the maintenance of essential infrastructure but also creates an unlevel playing field in the mining industry that doesn’t benefit from similar exemptions for others.
The lawmaker said Section 17.8 of the Liberia Revenue Code explicitly prohibits exemptions on import duties for petroleum products, reinforcing the principle of equal taxation for all entities.
Senator Dopoh called on the Senate to notify the Executive through the Minister of Finance to re-characterize the aforementioned exemption in order to align it with the fiscal policies and regulations of Liberia.
He said the action by the Executive should be realized before the Fiscal Year 2025, urging the Senate to resolve and seek fairness in Liberia’s tax system and strive for an environment where all companies can operate on an equal footing, fostering healthy competition and ensuring that our nation benefits from its resources.
“May this body stand united in our commitment to uphold the integrity of our fiscal policies and ensure that the laws of Liberia are applied equitably,” he said.
By Tonita N. Copson
