Dismissed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Executive Director, Dr. Nathaniel Blama, says he has done nothing wrong to deserve dismissal by President George Manneh Weah.
According to the Executive Mansion, Mr. Blama unilaterally signed a US$20 million contract without the signatures of the Minister of Justice and Finance.
However, in response Dr. Blama, 46, stated that he never committed any asset of the Liberian government in the agreement contrary to statement by the Executive Mansion that he has committed the resources of Liberia without the approval of the Ministries of Justice and Finance as provided by law.
He was on suspension until last Thursday when he was reinstated by the President.
“It’s a platform like the Green Climate Fund, like the Adaptation Fund, like the Global Environment Facility Fund – it’s the same kind of platform set up globally.
We have had this discussion with the finance minister before, I’ve had the discussion with the Minister of State and they are aware,” he told Front Page Africa.
What is in the agreement?
The contract in question which has been obtained by the media was signed between the EPA and CO2Bit Technologies, LLC, a company registered and incorporated in Florida, USA.
Dr. Blama signed on behalf of the Government of Liberia while Ronald J. Wilkins signed on behalf of CO2BIT LLC.
As per the agreement, the company shall award and the EPA shall acquire a future right to utilize CO2Bit coins as part of a finance mechanism within Liberia for the sole purpose of addressing climate change effects associated with declining CO2 sequestration within Liberia.
BITCoin shall award 5,000 CO2Bitcoin assets to the EPA. The company shall deliver the encrypted key associated with the CO2Bitcoins and any passwords or asset as well as any all other transaction documents.
According to research conducted by Liberia Public Radio, CO2BIT TECHNOLOGIES LLC was incorporated on Oct 30 2017 as a FLLC type registered at 8561 INSULAR LN. ORLANDO, FL 32827–712 UN .
CO2BIT is part of an international dispersed group of technologists and philanthropists undertaking the oration and support of CO2Bit.
Challenging government
In a telephone interview with local media hours after his dismissal, Dr. Blama challenged the government to prosecute him with evidence if he did any wrong.
He further explained that he been in conversation with the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Nathaniel McGill and the Minister of Finance concerning the agreement and they both expressed optimism that it would be a fruitful agreement.
He said on the Sunday August 2, 2020 following his reinstatement, he visited the Min. McGill at his home and briefed him on the agreement. According to him, Min. McGill read through the agreement and
Coastal defense deal Scenario
Dr. Blama has further defended that similar deal was signed by him when US$29 million endorsement for the New Kru Town project and was never signed by the Minister of Justice nor the Minister of Finance, noting that such is the case with environmental platforms.
He described the action by the president as a “personal vendetta” while at the same time thinking for the opportunity to serve in his administration.
Dr. Blama and president Weah seen not be on good term since he became the index case Liberia’s COVID-19 case in March 2020.
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