Liberia: Deportee Awarded Contract

A number of Liberians have raised concern over the awarding of contract to an Indian national who was reportedly deported from Ghana at one point to run the fiber optic cable in Liberia.

Ashok Kumar Sivaram                                  Richmond Nagbe Tobii (LIBTELCO)

Currently, his team of engineers are said to be digging around the city at key points which will enable the cable to run.

But the company in question, Jai Mai Communications Limited and its chief Executive Officer, Ashok Kumar Sivaram seem to be running into problem with some Liberians who are concerned about the procedure it went through to win such contract from Liberia Telecommunications corporation.

Mr. Kumar according to documents in the possession of this paper was at one point deported from Ghana after he allegedly lied to the immigration Services by submitting fake marriage certificates.

Kumar, according to documents was married to an Indian lady whose brother, Sachin Nambeear hired him to work for the company. He originally owned the company, but after some time, changes were made in the company, thus putting Sachin out of the business.

“Kumar was asked to manage the company while his in law, went to seek for other business opportunities in foreign county. But what we know from here in Ghana is that he allegedly changed the shareholders.  To compound it, he decided to marry a Ghanaian lady. After that was done, he applied to the Ghana Immigration Service for citizenship. It was at this point the authorities became concerned,” a source from Accra told this paper.

After that, the source said, he was arrested because he was still married to the Indian lady and wanted a citizenship at the same time. “According to Ghanaian law, it is criminal and the authorities here apprehended him. But you know why? he sued the immigration boss and the Minister of Interior here that he was not given due diligence,” the source added.  The source added, “he was later asked to  go  back to  Ghana for further investigations into the case.

A statement written by Sachin to the Ghana Police   dated July 13, 2017, accused Kumar and George Dankwa, Secretary to the original company of forging  his signature to move on.

So, many Liberians think that Kumar needs to be investigated. Sources at LIBTELCO said they were shocked to see Jai Mai Communication running line around the city when the original contract is between   Google through its agent in Liberia, CSquare. This has to be verified.

One source hinted this paper from LIBTELCO that CSquare was given the contract but later sub contracted it to Jai Mai Communication.   Many of the employees at CSquare are   foreign nationals with few Liberians.

When this paper visited the offices of CSquare located on fifth street for comment, the Human Resource Manager, a Ghanaian national said he could not comment on it.  He referred this paper to the lawyer, Counsellor Negbalee Warner.
When called Counsellor Warner for comment, he said he would do a check tomorrow to speak on the matter as his. “Please call me tomorrow so that I will check to speak on it.” Another lawyer from the same law firm said he did not know if CSquare was one of their clients but would find out also.

Sources at LIBTELCO said JMC can be contacted through Counselor Lawrence Bropleh, former Minister of Information.  When contacted, his phone was put to okay button, but no one could speak.  Several attempts were made but to no avail. Further, JMC was contacted but the phone rang without answer.

CLICK TO READ THE DOCUMENTS:

Deportee Awarded Contract in Liberia