Liberia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has moved to calm public excitement over the reported oil discovery in Grand Bassa County, with Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban saying that the substance found is waste oil, not crude oil.
The latest statement follows days of renewed public debate on Facebook, radio, community pages, and legislative platforms over claims of a possible oil discovery in Doewien and Beon Town areas of Grand Bassa County.
The issue gained fresh attention after residents reported black, oily material emerging from the ground and floating on water. Some residents and online commentators quickly described it as crude oil. But government and petroleum officials are now pushing back against those claims.
Minister Tingban’s reported statement marks the clearest official rejection yet of the public claim of a confirmed crude oil discovery. He said the substance does not meet the crude oil standard and appears to be waste oil.
NOCAL Chief Executive Officer Fabian Lai also dismissed claims of a confirmed crude oil discovery in Grand Bassa. Lai told lawmakers the reports circulating online are inaccurate and premature. He said samples collected from the affected site were sent abroad for testing and analysis. Lai said Liberia has not reached the point of declaring an oil discovery.
