Liberia has cleared Tata Steel of all allegations and has invited it to join the bidding process for the Western Cluster iron ore project in that country.
According to a Liberian ministry of justice communiqu? Tata Steel has been informed that investigations have not shown any involvement of the company in any act of impropriety, as alleged in media reports.
The allegations have not been substantiated by the investigation panel of Liberia?s public procurement & concession commission, the communiqu? added.
The Liberian communiqu? has been in response to Tata Steel?s letter of remonstration to the Liberian government against the alleged acts of impropriety, as reported in sections of the media, where in the company had denied the media reports and allegations.
Tata Steel had in its letter also expressed its anguish and protest against the media report quoting the Liberian government spokesperson which it said had been done without checking the veracity of such reports or discussing with the company, especially in view of the fact that Tata Steel?s bid was rated very high on terms of technical, financial and social aspects by the international consultant engaged by Liberian government.
In addition to the notification received by the steel major from the ministry, the ?appeals board? of the Liberian government has decided that Tata Steel is again eligible to participate in the re-tendered bidding process for the Western Cluster iron ore deposits.
In a statement issued here today, Tata Steel said it had always been upfront and transparent in its dealings, as has been the philosophy of the Tata group, in relation to the bidding process.