MONROVIA – Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh has issued a forceful warning against the approval of the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) signed between the Government of Liberia and Oranto/Atlas Petroleum, urging members of the Liberian Senate to reject the agreement due to what he describes as a long, troubling record of nonperformance. In a detailed statement titled “Why the Senate Must Reject the Production Sharing Contracts Between the Government of Liberia and Oranto Petroleum,” Konneh argued that Liberia risks repeating past mistakes by partnering with a company he believes has failed to demonstrate credibility or capacity across Africa.
The senator said that anyone who followed the Senate hearings on the Oranto and TotalEnergies PSCs would agree that the agreements “raised more questions than answers.” Konneh reminded lawmakers that Oranto acquired oil blocks in Liberia in 2007 but “never drilled a single exploration well.” Instead, he recalled, the company sold its rights to Chevron and walked away with over US$100 million in profits while Liberia gained nothing in terms of infrastructure, jobs, national development, or energy-sector advancement.
Konneh further revealed that some Liberians who worked with Oranto during its earlier operation in the country reported not being paid, a claim that deepens mistrust about the company’s return. “Now, after abandoning Liberia once, Oranto has returned, asking us to trust them again,” he wrote. To him, the signature bonuses being promoted by the Executive are misleading, especially as Oranto intends to pay in installments over four to five years rather than upfront.
He also highlighted Oranto’s and its parent company Atlas Petroleum’s record in other African jurisdictions. In Uganda, he noted, the company was granted the Ngassa block in 2007 but failed to drill a single well, leading to the government canceling the license nearly a decade later. In Senegal, Oranto secured the Saint Louis Offshore Profond block but has conducted no meaningful exploration. Equatorial Guinea shows a similar pattern, with the company failing to progress beyond preliminary seismic work before seeking extensions without results. Citing industry watchdogs such as Africa Intelligence, Konneh argued that this pattern demonstrates how the company “secures acreage, makes big promises, then walks away.”
These concerns mirror growing public scrutiny within Liberia. Civil society groups, including the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), have sharply criticized the deal, calling it a threat to Liberia’s sovereignty and accusing the government of negotiating in secrecy. Former Speaker J. Fonati Koffa and Representative Musa Hassan Bility have also condemned the Oranto agreement, describing it as a “dangerous and corrupt deal” and urging lawmakers to block its passage. Their criticisms reference Oranto’s earlier activities in Liberia, which they insist were marred by opaque dealings and questionable benefits to the state.
Konneh argued that the fiscal terms of the current PSCs are equally worrisome. The widely publicized US$3.75 million signature bonus per block, which totals US$15 million for four blocks, does not reflect the actual contract requirements. Under the agreement, Oranto is obligated to pay only US$1.25 million per block within 120 days of ratification. The remaining US$10 million is tied to seismic work that experts warn may not occur for years, possibly not until the next election cycle. This loophole, Konneh warned, exposes Liberia to substantial financial uncertainty.
The senator rejected the idea that the Senate could amend or “fix” the agreement to make it acceptable. “There is nothing to fix,” Konneh emphasized, calling instead for complete rejection. He urged Liberia to seek investors with proven exploration capacity, operational competence, and financial strength, not companies with a history of securing blocks and abandoning them without development.
Konneh stressed that his stance is not an attack on President Joseph Boakai’s broader effort to attract investors to the energy sector. Instead, he said it is a matter of safeguarding national interest. “We deserve partners with the integrity, expertise, and resources to responsibly develop our natural resources,” he asserted. Accepting a deal with questionable companies, he warned, risks undermining Liberia’s future economic prospects.
The senator’s comments come at a decisive moment. The Legislature’s Joint Committee reviewing the PSCs recently requested more time due to procedural requirements and concerns over transparency. Opposition lawmakers continue to challenge the legitimacy and technical soundness of the deal, mirroring Konneh’s warnings regarding fiscal risks, limited guarantees, and the lack of credible exploration commitments.
Konneh also noted that history must guide the Senate’s decision. He referenced reports of corruption associated with Oranto’s early dealings in Liberia, including allegations that the company benefited from a flawed approval process before selling off its blocks to Chevron without fulfilling any work obligations. Critics argue that Liberia cannot afford a repeat of such missed opportunities and must demand more from companies seeking to tap into its offshore potential.
The Senate prepares to debate the PSCs, and Konneh’s message is clear that Liberia cannot gamble its energy future on companies with inconsistent records. He urged his colleagues to return the contracts to President Boakai for withdrawal and to insist on stronger, more transparent agreements. For Konneh, the path forward requires disciplined negotiation, responsible stewardship of national resources, and partnerships that genuinely advance Liberia’s long-term development.
