By Lincoln G. Peters
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia, October 21, 2026: A special Liberian Senate committee investigating petroleum levies has identified an alleged US$1.8 million payment shortfall involving Bea Mountain Mining Corporation, amid broader discrepancies between petroleum lifting records and government revenue collections.
The committee, chaired by Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Mohamed Konneh, disclosed that Bea Mountain lifted approximately 16.4 million gallons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, without corresponding levy payments reflected in the Liberia Revenue Authority’s (LRA) collection records.
However, the mining company reportedly claims duty-free status, prompting the committee to demand documentation establishing the legal basis for its exemption.
Presenting the committee’s preliminary findings during Tuesday’s Senate plenary, Senator Konneh said the investigation covered petroleum lifting and revenue collection records from October to December 2025 and January 1 to June 30, 2026.
According to him, the committee’s reconciliation of records from the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) and the LRA revealed significant discrepancies involving 21 of the 25 petroleum importers reviewed.
During the period, the importers reportedly lifted approximately 107 million gallons of petroleum products, with Bea Mountain accounting for the largest single payment variance.
“The initial findings are troubling. During this period, 25 importers lifted approximately 107 million gallons. Twenty-one of the 25 importers underpaid,” Konneh told his colleagues.
“The largest single variance is Bea Mountain Mining Corporation: 16.4 million gallons of AGO lifted, zero dollars paid — US$1.8 million owed, 55% of the total gap,” he disclosed.
The senator explained that the company claims a duty-free exemption, but said the committee would request the Minister of Finance and Development Planning to provide, within 72 hours, the legal justification for that exemption.
“Until then, no company is above the law this Senate has made that funds our counties,” Konneh declared.
The special committee was established by Senate President Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence to review petroleum levies intended to finance county equipment and community social development initiatives.
Konneh said the committee held consultations during the legislative break with representatives of the LRA, LPRC, and petroleum importers, except Bea Mountain.
He indicated that the committee’s final report would recommend stronger measures to prevent petroleum products from being released without confirmation of the required payments.
Among the proposed reforms is a “No Pay, No Lift” policy, requiring LPRC to obtain real-time payment confirmation from the LRA before releasing petroleum products.
According to Konneh, the proposed system would rely on digital technology and commercial banking verification to strengthen transparency and accountability in petroleum revenue collection.
RIA Road Project Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Senator Konneh, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Joint Public Accounts Committee, raised concerns over findings by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) concerning the Roberts International Airport (RIA) Highway Project.
He described the Auditor General’s findings as troubling, citing concerns about deviations from the approved road design and rising construction costs.
“We are stuck with a road that is not being built according to the approved design, while the cost of building it keeps climbing,” Konneh stated.
He disclosed that the committee is examining project disbursements against actual physical progress to determine whether expenditures correspond with work completed.
Senate Questions Government’s Bank Accounts
Turning to the management of public funds, Konneh said the Joint Public Accounts Committee is also reviewing government transitory accounts maintained in commercial banks.
He revealed that the GAC identified instances in which public revenues remained in commercial banks for several days before being transferred to the government’s Consolidated Account.
According to him, the practice raises serious concerns because the government simultaneously borrows money at high interest costs from some of the same commercial banks.
“The GAC found that public revenues sit in commercial banks for days before being swept into the Consolidated Account. At the same time, the government borrows at high cost from the same commercial banks to fund its operations. This is unacceptable,” he emphasized.
Senator Konneh assured the Senate that the Joint Public Accounts Committee would shortly submit its findings and recommendations.
The petroleum levy investigation remains ongoing, and the committee has yet to establish whether Bea Mountain’s claimed exemption is legally valid.
The company’s response to the committee’s preliminary findings was not included in the report presented to the Senate.
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