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[By Pewu Y. Sumo]
Monrovia, Liberia — Gbarpolu County Senator Amara M. Konneh has publicly backed former House Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa’s concerns regarding the proposed Production Sharing Contract (PSC) with Atlas/Oranto Petroleum, demanding an independent and comprehensive due diligence process before the Senate considers ratification.
In a post today on his official Facebook page, Senator Konneh noted that while the separate PSC with TotalEnergies appears “solid,” the Oranto deal raises “substantial concerns,” particularly regarding the company’s history of inactivity and speculation across Africa.
The Senator’s remarks coincide with the World Bank’s recent Economic Update on Liberia, which highlighted the urgent need for “job-rich growth” to combat high unemployment, linking the need for quality investment to the nation’s broader economic stability.
Pattern of ‘Sit on Licenses’ a Major Concern
Senator Konneh’s primary apprehension stems from a pattern he calls “sit on licenses,” where Oranto allegedly secures exploration rights but “fails to explore or develop them for years.”
The Gbarpolu County Senator’s research indicates a history of prolonged inactivity by Oranto in other African nations:
Uganda, Senegal, and Equatorial Guinea: Oranto holds agreements in these countries, with evidence of minimal development.
Senegal: Two of Oranto’s blocks are reportedly at risk of revocation by the government due to a lack of activity.
The Senator pointedly recalled Oranto’s controversial history in Liberia, where the company sold its previously held blocks (LB-11, LB-12, and LB-14) to Chevron, for massive profit without conducting the necessary exploration work to benefit the Liberian people.
“Oranto must answer these issues transparently,” Konneh wrote. “We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes with the same actors.”
Demand for Independent, Government-Funded Due Diligence
While Sen. Konneh remains emphatically committed to supporting President Boakai’s investment agenda, he however, stressed that the decision on Oranto must prioritize quality investment and national interest over speed.
The Liberian lawmaker issued a direct demand to the Senate Joint Committee responsible for reviewing the contracts, chaired by Bomi County Senator Edwin M. Snowe:
Conduct Professional, Rigorous Due Diligence: The review must be comprehensive and professionally executed.
Government-Funded Process is Crucial: The due diligence must be funded solely by the Government of Liberia, not by Oranto, to ensure the review’s “independence and integrity.”
He then concluded with a sharp warning that Liberia’s future economic stability depends on making “informed, decisive actions—no room for complacency”, Konneh warned.
TotalEnergies Deal Under Scrutiny, Too
Regarding the Production Sharing Contract with TotalEnergies, Senator Konneh noted the deal “seems solid” but still requires clarity on two major points to guarantee maximum national benefit:
Job Creation: The specific number of jobs that will be created for Liberians.
Implementation Timeline: The concrete schedule for the commencement of exploration activities.
Senator Konneh vowed to keep the public “posted” on the legislative review process, underscoring “Quality Growth” as the guiding principle for all national investment decisions.
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