The National Bureau of Concession (NBC), through its Director General Hanson Kiazolu, has successfully completed and submitted three comprehensive Compliance and Monitoring Reports to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Koung and members of the National Legislature.
The reports were prepared in fulfillment of the Bureau’s statutory mandate under the National Bureau of Concession Act to monitor, evaluate and report on the implementation of concession agreements across the country. Copies of the reports were presented to the House of Representatives Chair on Concession, Representative Foday Fahnbulleh to facilitate legislative oversight and informed policy deliberations.
The reports provide a comprehensive assessment of concessionaires’ compliance with their contractual, fiscal, social, environmental and operational obligations. It further highlighted key findings and recommendations aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and sustainable concession governance.
During the presentation, House Speaker Richard Koon commended DG Kiazolu and the management of the Bureau for their commitment to transparency, accountability and effective oversight of Liberia’s concession sector.
Speaker Koon described the timely completion of the reports as a significant milestone that reinforces public confidence in the management of the country’s natural resources, and supports the government broader development agenda.
Accordingly, the Office of the President and Vice President, as well as members of the National Legislature are expected to review the reports and recommend future legislative and policy actions aimed at strengthening concession governance and ensure greater national benefits from concession operations.
DG Kiazolu also presented two additional Compliance and Monitoring Reports on the Maryland Oil Plantation (MOPP) and the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC), to the County Legislative Caucus, recommending renegotiation into both company’s concession agreements.
He said the reports outline the Bureau’s findings on compliance, document responses from the concessionaires, and present strategic recommendations designed to enhance governance, improve accountability and minimize benefits for host communities.
He stated that the Bureau’s key recommendations are the renegotiation of both concession agreements, which he believes no longer reflect the country current economic realities, or development priorities.
“These concession agreements have become antiquated and must be renegotiated to align with Liberia’s current macroeconomic realities and national development aspirations,” DG Kiazolu said.
The reports also recommended the establishment of Community Development Funds (CDFs) to promote greater transparency and accountability in the management of social development contributions.
Additionally, the NBC proposed the engagement of an independent accountant to determine outstanding CDF obligations owed by the concessionaires. DG Kiazolu further disclosed that the Bureau is working closely the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to address outstanding compliance matters.
He clarified that concerns surrounding the Oil Palm Development Fund are primarily due to concessionaires awaiting clear policy direction from the government, rather than unwillingness to fulfill their obligations. “We successfully implemented this model with MOPP-EPO in Grand Bassa County, and we intend to replicate the same approach in Maryland County.”
Receiving the reports on behalf of the County Legislative Caucus, District 2 Representative Anthony Williams, described the presentation as a “dream partially fulfilled,” nothing that the concession agreements signed in 2011 had never undergone the mandatory five-year review required by law.
Rep. Williams welcomed the Bureau’s recommendation to establish Community Development as a practical mechanism to ensure concession benefits directly impact affected communities. He expressed confidence in the continued support of President Boakai, the NBC, Ministry of Agriculture and the Speaker office as efforts toward renegotiating the agreements advance.
At the same time, District 3 Representative Austin B. Taylor, commended the Bureau for completing what he described as a “long-overdue technical assessment.” Rep. Taylor added that the Standard Compliance and Monitoring Reports together, provide a solid technical foundation to guide the renegotiation process, and further strengthen concession governance in the country.
The NBC remains steadfast in its commitment to promote transparency, accountability and responsible concession management, while ensuring that Liberia’s concession agreements continued to deliver meaningful and sustainable benefits to the Liberian people.
