Liberia: Chinese Firm Under Scrutiny in Liberia For Tax Evasion----Rev. Blamo. One of the Chinese construction companies that has been awarded major road construction contracts in Liberia CHICO is said to be involved in evasion of taxes and nonpayment of tariffs, import duties on road construction equipment and fuel procured for use by the company over the years. From Monrovia the FrontPageAfrica News report....At a time when the Liberian government is complaining about lack of funds to contribute to the development amid continued budget shortfalls, the company is said to be importing massive equipment into the country without paying taxes. CHICO has signed several construction contracts with the Government of Liberia including the Samuel K. Doe Boulevard in Paynesville for emergency repairs and rehabilitation of approximately 3.1 miles road at a cost of Four million five hundred sixty two thousand forty two United States dollars and fifty cents (US$4,562,242.50). Deputy Finance Minister for Revenue, James Kollie, via text message confirmed that the Government of Liberia granted CHICO waiver on fuel and other imports without stating the other imports. The Chinese company was also awarded another contract for the emergency repairs and rehabilitation of the Clara Town Road on Bushrod Island consisting of approximately 1.56 kilometers at a cost of two hundred thirty two thousand five hundred United States dollars (US$2,232,500). Other contracts awarded to CHICO included the pavement marking RIA and Tubman Boulevard in Montserrado and Margibi Counties at a cost of Nine hundred twenty thousand, four hundred twenty United States dollars (US$ 920,420.00). Chinese companies have reportedly been awarded close to a billion dollars in road construction since the Ellen Sirleaf government assumed office. CHICO on the line for Tax evasion With such high dollar value contracts awarded to CHICO over the years, authoritative sources have hinted to FrontPageAfrica that the Chinese construction company has over the period evaded the payment of taxes on fuel, construction equipment and other materials imported into the country. CHICO according to investigation used World Bank equipment for some of the projects and therefore did not pay taxes on. These equipment along with huge quantity of fuel and other lubricants the company has been purchasing and using for construction works. When contacted the company Public Relations Manager, Jacob Smith displayed portion of a contract granting CHICO waivers on taxes, import duties and other tariffs, but said it could not make available copy of that portion of the contract to reporter until mandated by the overall head of the company.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 14:43:31 +0000
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