Several lawmakers of the African Parliamentary Network on Illicit Financial Flows and Taxation (APNIFFT) Liberia Caucus, with support from the government of Ireland, have benefitted from a review of mineral development agreements to strengthen transparency in natural resources governance.
Speaking at the opening session in Monrovia over the weekend, the committee chair on concession, investment, natural resources, and governance, Senator Francis Dopoh, said the workshop is a reaffirmation of lawmakers’ commitment to transparency in minimizing illicit financial flows. He noted that the training will equip lawmakers with practical tools for reviewing concession agreements through evidence-based oversight.
Harold Aidoo, Executive Director of Integrity Watch, said lawmakers should take charge in reviewing a concession agreement that will meet the needs of the people by establishing a standardized approach to mineral development agreements that improve oversight and transparency. Aidoo noted that the standardized Scoring Framework developed by Integrity Watch Liberia for reviewing Mineral Development Agreements (MDAs) and Concession Contracts will help minimize the issues facing concession agreements.
The workshop is aimed at empowering lawmakers with the tools and skills to apply the scoring framework aligned with international best practices (EITI, OECD, IFC, AMV). It also enables legislators to institutionalize fairer contract evaluations, enhance public accountability, and ensure Liberia’s natural wealth benefits its people equitably.
The training brought together members of the Senate and House Committees on Concessions & Investment, Natural Resource Governance, and Judiciary alongside APNIFFT Caucus members and relevant legislative support offices.
