MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has raised strong concerns over one of two major oil-sector agreements currently before the Liberian Senate, warning that the country must avoid repeating past mistakes in its petroleum governance. In a detailed statement posted to his official Facebook page on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the senator disclosed that he spent his weekend examining the Production Sharing Contracts involving Oranto Petroleum and TotalEnergies, which have been returned to the Legislature for a second round of scrutiny and possible ratification. His review, he noted, coincided with the World Bank’s latest Liberia Economic Update released on October 29, which highlights slowing economic growth despite improvements in inflation control, fiscal management, and external balance.
Senator Konneh described the TotalEnergies contract as generally acceptable, but he cautioned that important questions still demand answers. He emphasized that the agreement does not clearly specify how many jobs the project will create for Liberians or how soon operations will begin once approved. According to the lawmaker, any investment intended to support President Joseph Boakai’s economic agenda must demonstrate tangible employment benefits at a time when job-rich growth remains essential to combat widespread unemployment.
But it was the Oranto Petroleum agreement that triggered the senator’s deepest alarm. Konneh said that based on his research, Oranto has a troubling history across multiple African countries, where it has allegedly acquired petroleum rights only to leave them dormant for years. He referred to this as “sitting on licenses,” a practice that stalls development and deprives host countries of potential revenue.
The senator underscored examples from Uganda, Senegal, and Equatorial Guinea, where Oranto’s progress has reportedly been limited or nonexistent. In Senegal, he noted, the administration of President Bassirou Faye is considering revoking at least two of Oranto’s petroleum blocks due to inactivity. Konneh said Liberia must not overlook such evidence, especially as it evaluates whether to entrust the company with new responsibilities.
Konneh also reminded the public that Oranto had previously operated in Liberia but ultimately sold its petroleum blocks to multinational companies like Chevron without conducting exploration or generating benefits for the Liberian people. He argued that such a history should give lawmakers pause and demand a more critical approach. For him, it is imperative that Oranto provides full transparency and answers for its past performance before the Senate considers advancing the new deal.
While reaffirming his support for President Boakai’s broader investment framework, Konneh insisted that Liberians deserve partnerships rooted in accountability and proven capacity. He stressed that the Senate Joint Committee reviewing the contracts, chaired by Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe, has a responsibility to carry out a professional, thorough, and evidence-based review. Liberia, he warned, cannot afford agreements clouded by uncertainty or companies with questionable track records.
The senator was equally firm that the Government of Liberia, not Oranto Petroleum, must finance the due-diligence process. Allowing the company under review to fund its own scrutiny, he argued, would undermine the independence and objectivity of the investigation while damaging public trust. He said the integrity of the process must be safeguarded at all costs.
Konneh’s statement comes at a critical moment for Liberia, which is seeking to expand its fiscal base, attract credible investors, and create employment opportunities amid slowing economic growth. With the World Bank’s recent report underscoring the need for job-creating investments, the senator argued that Liberia cannot afford to approve petroleum deals that lack clear developmental impact or immediate value.
He emphasized that Liberia’s future depends on making informed and decisive decisions, particularly in sectors as strategic as oil and gas. The senator urged the Senate to eliminate complacency and avoid repeating the mistakes of past governments that approved concessions without rigorous verification of company capacity or intent.
Senator Konneh concluded his message by pledging to keep the public updated as the Senate proceeds with its examination of the agreements. His closing statement, “We want quality investments,” encapsulated his broader argument that Liberia’s natural resources must be governed with discipline, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to national interest.
