CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia – The Commissioner General of the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Mr. Dorbor Jallah, has squarely blamed the National Legislature for what he described as unfavorable concession agreements in Liberia, arguing that the legal frameworks governing those deals were enacted by lawmakers themselves.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway, [email protected]
Mr. Jallah made the assertion on Thursday during the 12th day sitting of the First Quarter of the Third Session of the House of Representatives.
His appearance followed a communication from Nimba County District #4 Representative, Ernest Manseah, who requested plenary to invite the LRA and the Ministry of Mines and Energy to provide a status update on Cavalla Resources (formerly BHP Billiton), including the company’s tax obligations to the Government of Liberia.
LRA Boss: Legislature Sets the Rules
Responding to concerns raised by Montserrado County District #16 Representative, Dixon Seboe, regarding what he described as low financial returns from concessions and investments, Commissioner General Jallah argued that the Legislature bears responsibility for the outcome of such agreements.
According to him, concession agreements signed by the Executive are anchored in laws passed by lawmakers.
“The agreements that we are signing today in the Executive are based on the legal framework that you have established,” Jallah told plenary. “For us to deviate from that, believe me, you will call us here and hold us accountable. Who can pass those laws? Who can change those laws? It is you, this honorable body.”
He stressed that if Liberia believes it has outgrown its current mineral development and concession framework, it is the Legislature’s responsibility to amend the laws.
“If we believe as a people that we are getting to a point that we have graduated from the current legal framework for giving out our natural resources, it’s up to us — and this Legislature leads on that,” he said.
Jallah further described the existing concession framework as unsustainable, arguing that Liberia is not maximizing benefits from its natural resources.
“We need to move away from our current framework for concessioning our resources. It is not sustainable, and I don’t think we are getting as much as we would if we change the framework,” he added.
Rep. Seboe Rejects ‘Blame Game’
Representative Dixon Seboe, whose question prompted the exchange, took exception to the LRA boss’ comments, suggesting that lawmakers should not shoulder full responsibility for so-called bad deals.
Seboe noted that legislators are not necessarily experts in specialized areas such as tax policy and mining economics and that legislative decisions are often influenced by majority votes.
“Lawmakers may not be experts in different fields — and here, everybody’s vote counts,” Seboe said. “The question I am asking is, knowing what you know from tax administration in different jurisdictions, are you satisfied with the amount of money that we are getting as taxes from these companies? That’s my point.”
Speaker Koon Establishes Concession Review Committee
Following testimonies and intense deliberations, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon announced the establishment of a specialized committee to review all concession agreements in Liberia.
The Speaker mandated the committee to conduct an in-depth study of the status, financial terms, and conditions of existing concessions and report back to plenary within one month, including recommendations for reform.
Members of the committee include:
- Ernest Manseah (Nimba County District #4) – Chair
- Sam P. Jallah (Bomi County District #3) – Member
- Jeremiah Garwo Sokan (Grand Gedeh County District #1) – Member
- Dixon Seboe (Montserrado County District #16) – Member
- Representative of Bong County District #7 – Member
- Representative of Montserrado County District #9 – Member
“You will be given all necessary resources to do your work, and you are given one month to report back to plenary,” Speaker Koon directed.
Cavalla Resources Referred to Joint Committee
On the specific issue of Cavalla Resources, Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo Mulbah moved that the matter be referred to the Joint Committee on Concessions, Mines and Energy, and Hydrocarbon.
Under the motion, the Committee on Concessions will lead the process and, along with the Joint Committee, report back to plenary within 10 working days.
The motion was adopted through a voice vote.
LRA Reports US$3.4 Million Payment
In a related development, the LRA disclosed that Cavalla Resources has made a partial payment of US$3.4 million toward an outstanding obligation of US$7.64 million owed to the Government of Liberia. The payment was made on February 16, 2026.
“Our technicians are working to get all of the data of BHP and now Cavalla,” Commissioner General Jallah stated. “From 2010 to 2016, as BHP Billiton, the company owed US$3.8 million, and since becoming Cavalla, its debt stands at US$3.384 million.”
Meanwhile, William S. Hines, Deputy Minister for Operations at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, informed lawmakers that the Ministry has completed a feasibility study on the company.
According to Hines, the Ministry conducted technical assessments to determine the company’s eligibility and subsequently granted it two Class ‘A’ licenses.
“The company requested to make payment of arrears and current obligations,” Hines said, noting that Cavalla has been working with the LRA to meet its financial responsibilities.
