Monrovia – Mr. Jeffery Yate, head of the Liberia Extractive Initiative Transparency Initiative (LEITI), has assured the Liberian Senate that LEITI will review licenses received from the Ministry of Lands and Mines to ensure that people are not illegally mining the country’s natural resources. 

Mr. Yate made the assurance Friday, 28 October when he appeared before the Senate to provide requisite information on the status of Liberia’s extractive sector, including compliance of logging companies. 

According to him, artisanal mining is one major challenge that is denying Liberia of its natural resources. According to him, the implementation of LEITI has boosted investor confidence, because LEITI is a tool for transparency and accountability, a platform most investors are interested in.

Yates told members of the Senate that the LEITI, under its functions, continues to ensure compliance in the extractive sector by following up on revenue generated in the sector through the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA).

“Since we came into existence, we have made some achievements. We have been validated three times and we have passed all. We have produced 13 LEITI reports since 2007 and from our report, we have received 1.64 billion dollars in revenue from the extractive sector,” he said.

“These revenues are prudently utilized for the benefits of all the citizens on the basis of equity,” he said.

Yates called for lawmakers’ support which he said would ensure that companies adhere to the LEITI reporting process. He said LEITI will shortly name and shame companies who have refused to comply with the reporting process.

He said, access to concession agreements stands as a major challenge for the LEITI and asked for a working relationship between the Senate and LEITI, where contracts are ratified by the Legislature will be made available to the LEITI, which will include contract transparency.

Yates said: “We want to know the real owners of these companies. We are working with the FIU, the Liberian Business Registry to collect information about some of these companies’ actual owners and publish them. We want to know whether licenses issued by national government met the requirements.”

About the LEITI

The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is part of the EITI- a global Standard to promote the open and accountable management of extractive resources. LEITI works through a Secretariat guided by a multi-stake holder arrangement comprising the Government, Civil Society Organizations and Private companies to improve the governance of the Extractive sector in Liberia.

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources. It seeks to address the key governance issues in the extractive sectors.

The EITI Standard requires information along the extractive industry value chain from the point of extraction, to how the revenue makes its way through the government, to how it contributes to the economy.

This includes how licenses and contracts are allocated and registered, who are the beneficial owners of those operations are, what are the fiscal and legal arrangements are, how much is produced, how much is paid, where are those revenues allocated, and what is the contribution to the economy, including employment.

Liberia is one of 52 Countries worldwide that are implementing the EITI Standard. Each of these countries is required to publish an annual EITI Report disclosing information on contracts and licenses, production, revenue collection, revenue allocation, and social and economic spending.

Liberia became a part of the EITI Countries by an Act of the Legislature in 2009 after two years of implementing the EITI standard and has since published eight reports with its ninth report in progress. The Liberian Secretariat has had three Heads of Secretariat from 2007 until now.

MONROVIA — The Liberian Senate has invited the Secretariat of the Liberia Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (LEITI) to appear before Plenary constituted in a  Committee of the Whole on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at noon to provide requisite information on the status of its work and challenges it encounters.

This will include compliance issue of the various mining and logging companies as well as future work plans.

A Senate Press and Public Affairs Release say, the invitation extended to the LEITI Authority is predicated upon communication to the Senate Plenary from Grand Kru County Senator, Numene T.H. Bartekwa seeking the appearance of the entity.

The Grand Kru County Senator indicated that the forum will provide the opportunity for Senators to interact with the LEITI Secretariat whose work according to him, is important for revenue generation and sustainability of livelihood for the various rural communities that depend on the extractive industry.

The invitation extended to the LEITI to appear before the Committee of the Whole of the Liberian Senate, comes barely few days following calls by Senate Pro-tempore, Senator Albert T. Chie, for the need to reform the mining and logging industries, make them productive, transparent and accountable.

Prot Tempore Chie, in his recent statement marking the opening of final sitting of the 5^th Session of the 54^th Legislature called on the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to pay key attention to the extractive industry for enhanced revenue generation. The extractive Industry in Liberia includes mining, logging, commercial farming in palm, rubber, coffee and fishery.

Monrovia – The London-based watchdog group, Global Witness is urging the George Weah-led government in Liberia to immediately reinstate Mr. Konah D. Karmo, as head of Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI).

The organization’s statement comes just days after President Weah declared that he had done nothing wrong by appointing former lawmaker Gabriel Nyenkan as Head of the LEITI Secretariat. 

“I have broken no law,” the President declared at a news conference recently when he returned from a recent trip to Monrovia. 

President Weah said he was simply exercising his constitutional power in his appointment at the LEITI, as the Liberian constitution gives the President the power to appoint officials of various agencies of government.

But in its statement Thursday, March 29, Global Witness said it is important for the organization to maintain its independence. 

LEITI is part of the EITI- a global standard to promote the open and accountable management of extractive resources.

The Act establishing the states that only the LEITI Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) can appoint or remove the Head of Secretariat. Mr. Karmo still has three years left to be in the position. 

On Monday, March 12, 2018, Mr. Nyenkan took the country by surprise when he arrived at the offices of the LEITI to take over the Secretariat. 

Mr. Karmo informed the MSG the same day that Mr. Nyenkan had bulldozed his way into the office and taken over. 

“I write to inform you that the offices of the LEITI Secretariat were on today, March 12, 2018 invaded by officers of the Liberia National Police to have Mr. J. Gabriel Nyenkan forcibly take over as Head of Secretariat.” 

“As a result, I was evicted from the office and the assigned vehicle ceased by the LNP officers, who accompanied Mr. Nyenkan and his supporters. “

“The action which took place at about 12 noon was characterized by massive influx of Mr. Nyenkan and his supporters. Based on this, I requested other staff of secretariat staff to leave the office…”  

Nyenkan later told journalists that he invited the police because Karmoh had refused to respect the President’s order, as Karmoh said that his post was a tenure contract given to him by the MSG. 

Global Witness credited LEITI under Karmoh for being instrumental in its investigation on Liberia, including its latest allegation bribery in the Exxon Block 13 oil block negotiations.

“Exxon investigation was made possible by information published by the Liberian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI), an independent agency that publishes annual reports of payments made by companies to the government.”

“Without this information, Global Witness would not have started researching Exxon’s 2013 deal,” the organization said. 

“Our investigation shows not only that Liberia’s oil sector was corrupt, but also how important LEITI is for the country,” said Gant.

“The latest news that President Weah has illegally fired LEITI Secretariat Head Konah Karmoh is alarming and may show a weakening of political will to tackle corruption.” 

The GW findings uncovered that when Block 13 was sold in 2013, Exxon obtained 83 percent of the block. Canadian Overseas Petroleum obtained 17 percent of the block.

The transfer of Block 13 was structured in a way that 100 percent of the block was first transferred from BCP to COPL, and then COPL transferred Exxon its share.

Exxon stated in a PowerPoint presentation obtained by Global Witness that it wanted to structure the transaction this way “due to” its US anti-corruption concerns. 

Of the US$120 million Exxon paid for Block 13, US$68.5 million went to BCP. Global Witness estimates that Mason and the estate of Willie likely received a share of US$3.3 million.

If Lawrence still held a BCP interest when Exxon purchased Block 13, Global Witness estimates he would have received US$15,000. 

The Global Witness’ call comes as several civil society organizations and international stakeholders are contemplating withdrawing from LEITI in protest. 

FrontPageAfrica has learned that the civil society bloc of the LEITI MSG or PWYP Liberia (acting as founder of LEITI) is due to call a press conference shortly and issues a position statement, calling on the President of Liberia to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Gabriel Nyenkan as Head of LEITI Secretariat. 

The body is also expected to use the LEITI Act to point out the error made by the President and highlight the implications of the President’s action for investments in the struggling economy; and inform the Liberian people and the world in the event President Weah refuses to withdraw the nomination of Mr. Nyenkan.

The organizations are also considering boycotting the LEITI until the LEITI Act is respected regarding the appointment of the Head of Secretariat.

Monrovia – President George Weah’s action to appoint a new head of secretariat at the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) has again come under serious condemnation, this time from the Independent National Human Rights Commission (INCHR).

Report by Edwin G. genoway, Jr – edwin.genoway@frontpageafricaonline.com 

INCHR says it is alarmed by the removal from office, the Head of Secretariat of the LEITI, a position that should be appointed by the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) pursuant to The LEITI Act. 

Speaking to FrontPageAfrica Monday March 26, the acting commissioner of INCHR, Rev. Bartholomew B. Colley (Attorney) said the commission is urging the President to reconsider his decision and adhere “to the rule of law. 

He said the President’s reconsideration should therefore be followed by an action to complete the structuring of the Multi Stakeholder Groups (MSG) as provided for in Sections 6.4 and 6.5 respectively of the LEITI Act. 

Rev, Colley said the President was misled and ill advised to appoint the head of secretariat, adding that the Commission is also “troubled by the President’s decision to elevate the position of his Economic Advisor to a Cabinet Minister”. 

“The Commission’s trouble is hinged on the fact that the President has the power to appoint several Ministers of State without Portfolios who could be Cabinet Ministers but refuse to do so but rather chose to unilaterally make a pronouncement tantamount to lawmaking that affects the structure of the Executive Branch, without any consideration for the Legislature, the branch responsible for lawmaking to play its constitutional role,” he said. 

He called on the Liberians leader to utilize the proper and appropriate channel, “if he wants to elevate a particular position or use the available legal options.” 

The Human Rights Commission says while it recognizes the President’s authority to appoint as expressed in Article 54 of the 1986 Liberian Constitution, it is also encouraging the President to respect and honour all laws and statutes enacted by the Legislature in accordance with Article 34L of the same constitution. 

The INCHR boss says the Commission’s encouragement stems from the backdrop that the President’s authority as stated in the constitutional provision cited above, is not by any means an “absolute authority” so “it must be exercised with due caution so that the rights, liberties and privileges of others guaranteed by the Liberian Constitution are not wantonly violated. 

“The Commission would like to further emphasize that in democratic societies, even rights have limits. And there are no reasonable exceptions to this salient limitation on the exercise of rights,” he said. 

“But to protect the rights, liberties, and privileges of all Liberians irrespective of their origins, beliefs or affiliations, hence, the least the INCHR can demand of the Government is to ensure full respect for the Constitution and the Laws of Liberia in furtherance of societal cohesion and harmony as well as adherence to international norms,” he explained. 

He said the Commission is also expressing concerns over the detention and subsequent suspension of Mr. Alfred Cheeks, an employee of the Central Bank of Liberia and a Liberian citizen, who has been deprived of his liberty on national security charges for revealing the travel expense of the President. 

“The Commission recognizes the Government security priorities, it however does not in any way sees public financial expense disclosure associated with official travels as a genuine security risk and hereby calls upon the Liberian Government to desist from conducting detentions on such vexatious basis; because revelation of how much the President or other Government officials spend on their foreign travels promotes the President’s accountability to the Liberian tax payers,” he noted. 

The INCHR therefore condemns the action of the National Security Agency and the Central Bank of Liberia to have arrested and detained Mr. Cheeks because of said issue, he said. 

With respect to his suspension, the Commission wants the CBL to ensure that due process is exercised and that violations are actually seen because anything short of that will be a violation of Mr. Cheek’s rights to due process and work.

Monrovia – The situation at the Liberia Extractive Industries Initiatives following the appointment of Gabriel Nyenka is degenerating into chaos as several stakeholder organizations are now threatening to pullout, which would have grave impact on the country extractive industry.

Report by Alpha Daffae Senkpeni – alpha.senkpeni@frontpageafricaonline.com

Following massive condemnation by the United Kingdom-based organization, Global Witness, President George Weah will now have to deal with a more critical situation as the only local civil society group on the board threatens to pull out.

LEITI is an autonomous Liberian agency that ensures transparency in Liberia’s forestry, oil, mining, and agricultural plantation sectors – the main revenue generating sectors of the country. The President has since insisted that he has done no wrong, ignoring calls to rescind his decision.

One legal expert, who spoke to FrontPageAfrica on anonymity, said President Weah’s action is illegal and once challenged at the Supreme Court it would be over turn.

The lawyer recalled similar situation when former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf erroneously appointed James Verdier at the human rights commission but her action was later overturned by a court, which ruled that the appointment violated the act that created the commission. 

On Monday the Independent National Human Rights Commission (INCHR) advised the President to retract the appointment.

“The President has the power to appoint several Ministers of State without Portfolios who could be Cabinet Ministers but refuse to do so but rather chose to unilaterally make a pronouncement tantamount to lawmaking that affects the structure of the Executive branch, without any consideration for the Legislature, the branch responsible for lawmaking to play its constitutional role,” said Rev. Bartholomew B. Colley, head of the INCHR.

In the case of the LEITI, the Act that established the agency, states that only the LEITI Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) can appoint or remove the Head of Secretariat. This intends to uphold the agency’s independence, ensures that it is not dominated by any of its constituent groups or subject to external interference. 

Cecelia Danuweli, chairperson of the board of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) – a civil society group on the LEITI board that makes up the MSG, says the group will withdraw its membership due to the violation by the President.

“The only solution for this problem is that we will pull out; PWYP is pulling out of the process if they don’t reconsider their decision. The good thing about this is that there can be no board meeting in the absence of the civil society representation,”Danuweli told FPA, adding,“ There can be any LEITI in the absence of the civil society which is the main arm of agency.” 

She added that several other international partners, donors and observatory bodies that support the work of LEITI in the country are angered by the fiasco and are also threatening to pullout.

The African Development Bank, GIZ, the UNDP and other stakeholders are threatening to leave because of this action by the President, the PWYP chairperson said.

Said Danuweli: “The President has his right to do what he wants but one thing I know is that Liberia will be suspended or will be sanctioned soon and very soon because there will be no business done with Liberia. People don’t understand, if you get to understand the workings of LEITI the government will be so afraid to do the kind of thing that they are doing.”

“We will just ask that Liberia be suspended from the EITI process and all of those people who are pumping the President don’t understand. LEITI is about transparency, accountability. No company will come to Liberia to invest into this country if there is nothing like transparency.”

The former administration of President Sirleaf signed up to the EITI, the international body of which Liberia is a member, to ensure that the country’s extractive sector attracts foreign direct investment while upholding accountability and transparency.

The country has made meaningful progress since joining the EITI although there are several challenges.

Under the supervision of LEITI, since 2009, total government revenue reported from the extractive sector increased with figures showing that it surged from US$29.5 million US$100 million.

And In July 2016, government revenue of US$148.85 million showed that mining contributed 58%, oil and gas (exploration) contributed 23%, agriculture 14% and forestry 5%

With the ongoing saga, industry experts say Liberia risks losing its credibility within the international extractive sector something that might hamper potential Foreign Direct Investment and would lead to the decline in the country’s revenue generation.

Ahead of a validation process for Liberia this year, Madam Danuweli is afraid that the country would not make the cut and it would undermine the meaningful progress made in the extractive sector in recent years.

The validation process evaluates a country to determine that a member country is complying with the EITI standard.

Meanwhile, tension is brewing as the leadership crisis deepens within the administration of the agency as employees are split between two opposing sides.

One side is headed by Nyenkan, while the other is headed by Myers W. Saye Sr., the Deputy Head of Secretariat, who was appointed by the MSG.

FPA gathered that following the appointment of Nyenkan, the MSG convened an emergency meeting on March 13, 2018 and cautioned all staff members to stay calm and not be answerable to Nyenkan until the leadership statement is resolved.

Sources say this has led to infighting that is stalling operations of the entity and dismissal of two senior staff Ms. Joan Mendee/Procurement Assistant and Mrs. Joy Smith-Attah, Administrative Manager respectively.by Mr. Nyenkan.

The infighting was accentuated on Monday, March 26 when the Deputy Head of Secretariat, Myers Saye was arrested by the Liberia National Police (LNP) was arrested, charged for criminal mischief and detained for hours.

Saye explained that he was wrongly accused by Kennedy Kolubah for damaging his car and taken to the Police station and was ordered by the Police to repair the reported damaged car before he will be set free.

“Liberia will be suspended or will be sanctioned very soon because there will be no business be done with Liberia.”

“People don’t understand the work of the LEITI; if you get to understand the working of LEITI the government will be so afraid to do the kind of thing that they are doing.” – Cecelia Danuweli, Civil Society Chairperson, Liberia Extractive Industries Transparent Initiative (LEITI) 

Reporters Gerald C. Koinyeneh and Edwin Genoway contributed to this story

Monrovia – The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) over the weekend conducted a one-day technical workshop on the submission of payment and revenue data for the 9th EITI Report for Liberia.

 LEITI hired Parker & Company LLC of Liberia in association with Moore Stephens LLP of the United Kingdom as the Independent Administrator to prepare Liberia’s 9th EITI Report of revenue data and contextual information covering the fiscal year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

In furtherance of the terms of engagement, the Independent Administrator and the LEITI Secretariat held a one-day technical workshop for all reporting stakeholders – companies and relevant government entities on Friday, November 24, 2017 the Golden Key Hotel in Paynesville. 

According to an LEITI release, the workshop is aimed at preparing and supporting reporting entities to compile and submit payment data and contextual information, using updated LEITI reporting templates.

All oil, mining, forestry and agriculture companies operating in Liberia who made payment(s) to the Government of Liberia (GOL) during the Fiscal Year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 attended the workshop.

Briefing the Multi-stake holder Steering Group (MSG) meeting recently, the Head of Secretariat Mr. Konah D. Karmo reiterated the need for a collective effort to ensure a smooth conduct of the data collection process for the Report.

Mr. Karmo further stated that collective efforts by stakeholders will guarantee that the Report is compliant with the LEITI Act and the LEITI Standard, released in 2016 in Lima, Peru. 

Preparation of Liberia’s 9th Reconciliation Report is in fulfillment of the EITI Standard, requiring implementing countries to undertake annual reconciliation and publication of payments and revenue data, as well as contextual information from the extractive sectors.

The technical workshop was an inception of the data gathering process by the Independent Administrator, working along with all relevant stakeholders in the reporting process, including government ministries and agencies.

The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) is a part of the global Standard-the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI)-that promotes revenue transparency in the extractive sectors in resource rich countries.

It strives to ensure transparency over payments made to and revenues received by the Government from companies in the concerned sectors