NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL – The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Richard Nagbe Koon, has constituted a specialized committee to investigate issues surrounding the occupancy status and arrangements of the Pan African Plaza building currently occupied by the One United Nations in Liberia.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The committee, chaired by Hon. Michael Thomas with Hon. Bernard Blue Benson Jr. serving as Co-Chair, was established following a formal communication submitted to Plenary by Grand Gedeh County District #3 Representative Jacob Debee.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Priscilla Cooper, Hon. Prince Toles, and additional lawmakers appointed by House leadership.
In his communication titled “Inquiry into the Status of the Pan African Plaza Building Occupied by the One United Nations,” Representative Debee raised concerns over uncertainty surrounding the legal and financial terms governing the UN’s occupancy of the government-owned facility.
The Grand Gedeh lawmaker questioned whether the arrangement between the Government of Liberia and the United Nations is based on a rental agreement or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
He called on Plenary to mandate relevant government institutions to provide documentation clarifying the arrangement.
Representative Debee specifically requested that if the building is being rented, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, the Liberia Revenue Authority, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning submit documentary evidence of rental payments allegedly made by the United Nations from January 2024 through December 2025.
He further requested that if the arrangement is based on an MOU, the responsible government entity should provide a copy of the agreement to Plenary for review and official record purposes.
According to Representative Debee, the inquiry seeks to promote transparency, accountability, and ensure that Liberia derives full benefit from national assets and agreements involving international partners.
The specialized committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive review of the matter and present its findings and recommendations to Plenary within one week.
