Where Is the Money? Liberian Senate Orders Probe Into Missing Concession Revenue for Counties

MONROVIA, Liberia – July 20, 2026 — Liberia’s Senate has launched a fresh push for accountability over concession revenues, ordering key government institutions to explain why counties hosting mining, forestry, agricultural, and other concession operations are allegedly not receiving their legally mandated share of natural resource income.

The Senate instructed its Joint Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, and Public Accounts to summon officials from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA). The agencies are expected to present a comprehensive report detailing how concession-related revenues have been allocated to Grand Cape Mount County and all other eligible counties.

The action follows a formal communication submitted by Senator Simeon B. Taylor of Grand Cape Mount County and Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa of Grand Kru County. The lawmakers questioned whether revenues generated from Liberia’s vast natural resources are reaching the counties and communities that are legally entitled to benefit from them.

According to the senators, Liberia’s concession agreements and natural resource revenue-sharing framework require that a portion of proceeds from resource extraction be distributed to counties hosting concession operations. They argued that those funds are intended to support local development initiatives, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential public services.

The senators warned that continued delays or failures in transferring the funds have deprived county administrations and host communities of critical resources needed to improve living conditions and stimulate sustainable development.

They also reminded the Senate that the Natural Resource Fund Act was enacted to guarantee transparency, accountability, and the fair distribution of revenues generated from Liberia’s natural resources. The law establishes mechanisms to ensure that communities directly affected by concession activities receive a share of the economic benefits while helping to offset the environmental and social impacts associated with resource extraction.

Taylor and Bartekwa maintained that the legislation was designed to ensure that citizens living in concession-affected areas benefit directly from the wealth generated within their communities. They argued that any failure to implement the law’s revenue-sharing provisions undermines both its purpose and the broader goal of inclusive national development.

By demanding answers from the relevant government agencies, the Senate signaled its determination to strengthen oversight of Liberia’s natural resource revenues and ensure compliance with existing laws governing concession agreements.

The outcome of the inquiry is expected to shed light on how concession revenues have been managed and whether counties across Liberia have received the funds to which they are legally entitled.