MONROVIA – Nimba County Senator Samuel G. Kogar on Thursday, December 4, 2025, called on the Liberian Senate to launch an immediate investigation into what he describes as a blatant violation of the 2021 Revenue Sharing Law by the Ministry of Finance in drafting the FY2026 National Budget. Speaking to journalists at his Capitol Building office, Senator Kogar warned that failure to enforce the law risks repeating Liberia’s historical pattern of “growth without development,” leaving resource-rich counties with little tangible benefits despite contributing massively to national revenue.
Senator Kogar revealed that Nimba County, a major contributor to Liberia’s iron ore revenues, is projected to generate approximately US$200 million for the national budget through mining operations. Yet, only US$3 million has been allocated to the county in the proposed FY2026 Budget. “Chapter 6 of the Natural Resource Revenue Sharing Law clearly mandates that 10 percent of natural resource revenues shall be transferred directly to the county of origin,” Kogar said. “Based on this law, Nimba should be receiving at least US$20 million, not the US$3 million reflected in the budget draft.”
He cautioned that neglecting the statutory 10 percent allocation could condemn Nimba and other host communities to decades of underdevelopment, citing the 1960s when massive mining activities boosted Liberia’s GDP figures but left towns and host communities with little to show for their natural wealth. “We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past by leaving behind pigpens of mining sites without meaningful socio-economic transformation,” Kogar stressed.
The Senator emphasized that enforcing the revenue-sharing law is not just a legal matter but a moral imperative. “It is the legislative responsibility of this Senate to ensure transparency, accountability, and full enforcement of existing laws,” he said. Kogar highlighted that with ongoing negotiations for the ArcelorMittal concession extension, Liberia could be locked into over 50 years of extraction, making it even more urgent for affected counties to secure their lawful share of revenues for sustainable development.
Senator Kogar illustrated the transformative potential of proper revenue allocation, stating that if Nimba received its full US$20 million, the funds could finance long-term development projects that endure beyond the depletion of iron ore reserves. “Look at countries like the United Arab Emirates; they used natural resource revenues to diversify their economies and secure the future of their citizens. Liberia must adopt similar strategies at the county level,” he said.
Beyond revenue sharing, Kogar drew attention to critical funding gaps for key institutions in Nimba County. He noted that G.W. Harley Memorial Hospital, a vital referral facility in the region, is attempting to establish new departments including dental, ocular, autism, and emergency units but lacks adequate resources. He requested an initial allocation of US$150,000 in the national budget to operationalize these units and strengthen health service delivery.
Addressing the proper use of the Social Development Fund (SDF), Senator Kogar clarified that while counties may use the SDF for emergencies, it should not be tapped for government-owned institutions such as hospitals, administrative buildings, or schools. “The central government remains responsible for maintaining core public institutions. Counties cannot carry the burden of government assets with the SDF alone,” he said.
When questioned about the effectiveness of his advocacy, Kogar highlighted collaborative efforts with fellow Nimba lawmakers, particularly Representative Samuel G. Wamah, who serves on the Ways, Means, and Finance Committee. “Each of us plays a specific role to ensure that budgetary corrections reflect the law. My communication to plenary strengthens this collective push for compliance with the revenue-sharing law,” he stated.
Senator Kogar reaffirmed that the law must be applied uniformly across all counties hosting natural resource operations, not just Nimba. He urged the Senate’s Committees on Judiciary, Ways, Means, and Finance to conduct a thorough investigation into the budget, ensuring that every component of the 2021 Revenue Sharing Law is fully respected. “The Ministry of Finance has no authority to selectively apply or ignore statutory mandates,” Kogar declared.
Concluding his remarks, Kogar made a compelling appeal for urgent plenary action. “Enforcing the 10 percent allocation is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility. It is about fairness and development for the communities whose resources continue to drive national revenue,” he said, emphasizing that Liberia’s future prosperity depends on transparent, equitable, and accountable resource management.
