By: Melvin Flomo
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MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberian Senate has ordered key government institutions responsible for public finance and local governance to account for the status of concession revenue allocations intended for counties hosting natural resource operations.
During its regular sitting on Tuesday, the Senate Plenary mandated its Joint Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts to invite officials of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Local Government (MLG), and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to provide a comprehensive report on the disbursement of concession-related revenues to Grand Cape Mount County and other eligible counties across Liberia.
The decision followed a formal communication submitted by Grand Cape Mount County Senator Simeon B. Taylor and Grand Kru County Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa, who raised concerns that several concession-hosting counties have allegedly not received their legally mandated shares of revenues generated from the exploitation of the country's natural resources.
According to the lawmakers, Liberia's concession agreements and the national legal framework governing natural resource revenue sharing require that a portion of revenues generated from mining, forestry, agriculture, and other concession activities be distributed to affected counties and local communities.
The senators argued that the reported failure to transfer those funds has significantly undermined local development initiatives, depriving county administrations of resources needed to improve roads, schools, healthcare services, and other essential public infrastructure.
They reminded the Senate that the National Legislature enacted the Natural Resource Fund Act of Liberia to promote transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of revenues derived from the country's natural resources. The legislation, they noted, establishes clear mechanisms to ensure that communities directly affected by concession operations benefit from those activities.
The lawmakers further emphasized that host communities bear the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with concession operations and should therefore receive the financial benefits guaranteed under the law.
They warned that continued failure to implement the revenue-sharing provisions not only violates the spirit and intent of the legislation but also weakens efforts to promote inclusive development in concession-affected counties.
By directing the relevant government institutions to appear before its joint committees, the Senate signaled its determination to strengthen oversight of public finances and ensure full compliance with Liberia's natural resource governance laws.
The Senate said the forthcoming hearings will seek clarity on the status of outstanding allocations, the implementation of the revenue-sharing framework, and any challenges preventing counties from receiving their rightful benefits.
Lawmakers maintained that counties hosting mining, forestry, agricultural, and other concession operations must receive the revenues guaranteed under law to support sustainable development, improve public services, and enhance the livelihoods of local communities.
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