By: Melvin Flomo
Monrovia, Liberia – February 23, 2026 — Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has formally submitted to the Liberian Senate a proposed legislation aimed at restructuring and granting full statutory authority to the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), while simultaneously amending and repealing key provisions of the 1989 Act that granted the entity exclusive rights over the country’s petroleum sector.
In a communication addressed to the President Pro Tempore and members of the Liberian Senate on Monday, Senator Dillon emphasized the urgent need to place the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company on a firm legal foundation consistent with modern governance standards.
The proposed Act seeks to formally enact LPRC through statutory authority, clearly defining its governance structure, functions, and responsibilities. It also calls for the repeal of portions of the 1989 legislation that granted LPRC exclusive authority to regulate, import, store, distribute, and commercialize petroleum and petroleum-related products within Liberia.
Addressing a Legal Vacuum
According to Senator Dillon, although LPRC has operated since 1978 as a public entity wholly owned by the Government of Liberia, it has done so primarily under Articles of Incorporation rather than a comprehensive legislative framework enacted by the National Legislature.
“To date, there is no statutory authority for the proper governance of this relevant and needed state-owned entity,” the Senator noted in his communication.
The lawmaker argued that this absence of explicit statutory grounding has created governance gaps that must be corrected to ensure transparency, accountability, and institutional efficiency within Liberia’s petroleum sector.
Constitutional Backing
Citing Article 89 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which empowers the Legislature to establish autonomous public corporations, commissions, and agencies, Senator Dillon maintained that the proposed legislation aligns squarely with constitutional provisions.
The bill, if passed, would not only provide LPRC with a renewed legal mandate but could also reshape Liberia’s petroleum regulatory environment by revisiting the long-standing monopoly structure embedded in the 1989 Act.
Implications for the Petroleum Sector
Policy observers suggest the move could signal a broader reform agenda within Liberia’s energy sector. Amending and repealing the exclusive rights provision may potentially open space for increased competition, regulatory reforms, and private sector participation, depending on the final framework adopted by the Legislature.
The Senate is expected to forward the proposed Act to committee for review and public hearings before plenary deliberation.
As Liberia continues efforts to strengthen governance across state-owned enterprises, Senator Dillon’s proposed legislation places the future structure and authority of LPRC at the center of national legislative discourse.
Further developments are expected as the bill proceeds through the legislative process at the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
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