Monrovia, Liberia – Bong County District #6 Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah has called on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to exercise his executive authority to review, and where necessary cancel, the LTMI concession agreement and other foreign investment deals, arguing that Liberia must take firmer control of its revenue-generating sectors to drive national development.
Speaking on OK Morning Rush on Wednesday, Representative Briggs-Mensah expressed concern over what she described as the country’s continued dependence on foreign concessionaires, stressing that Liberia’s natural resources should yield greater benefits for ordinary citizens.
“The government must begin to take charge of the country’s revenue-generating sectors. We cannot continue to depend on foreign companies while our people remain poor,” she said.
The lawmaker also questioned the effectiveness of Liberia’s revenue collection system, arguing that it is not generating sufficient income to support the government’s development agenda.
“Our revenue system is not working the way it should. We need stronger institutions that can generate the resources necessary to improve the lives of Liberians,” she added.
Representative Briggs-Mensah further criticized the awarding of concession agreements, including LTMI, stating that such deals must be structured with stronger safeguards to protect national interests and ensure meaningful community development.
She emphasized that while foreign investment remains important for economic growth, it must not come at the expense of fair national benefit and local development outcomes.
The Bong County lawmaker also called on citizens and civil society organizations to demand greater accountability from public officials instead of focusing on minor political gestures or short-term personal benefits.
“It is time for Liberians to demand the right things from their leaders. We should stop praising public officials for doing very little and instead hold them accountable for delivering real development,” she said.
She added that some citizens often overlook governance failures due to small financial assistance or favors received from politicians, a practice she warned undermines long-term national progress.
“We must stop praising public officials because of the little they give us. Instead, we should judge them by whether they are serving the national interest and improving the lives of the Liberian people,” she emphasized.
Lawmaking and Oversight Role at the House of Representatives
As a member of the House of Representatives of Liberia, Representative Briggs-Mensah serves as part of the country’s legislative branch, where she participates in lawmaking, national budget review, and oversight of government ministries, agencies, and commissions.
In her legislative role, she is responsible for representing the interests of Bong County District #6, raising constituency concerns on the floor of the House, and advocating for policies that promote development, accountability, and improved public services. Lawmakers in the House also review and ratify concession agreements and other major national contracts, a process that places them at the center of decisions involving foreign investors such as LTMI and others.
She is also expected to take part in committee work, where detailed scrutiny of national policies, public spending, and development projects is carried out. Through these committees, representatives assess whether government programs align with national priorities and ensure that public resources are properly managed.
Beyond legislation, her role includes oversight holding public institutions accountable for how they implement laws and utilize public funds.This includes questioning ministers and agency heads, reviewing audit findings, and pushing for reforms where gaps in governance are identified.
In this context, her recent call for a review of concession agreements reflects one of the key functions of the legislature: ensuring that national contracts and economic arrangements serve the long-term interests of Liberia and its citizens.
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