MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Liberian government has sought to address circling information in the press and social media regarding requests for tender of offshore oil blocks along Liberia’s southeastern shores, saying such information is nothing new.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Jan. 12, the Ministry of Information disclosed that since Dec. 9 of last year, the government announced, through the Liberian Petroleum Regulatory Authority that oil blocks would be offered in a subsequent round of exploration licensing following robust reforms within the oil sector.

The Liberian government was reacting to recent comments by talk show host Henry Costa, who alleged nefarious activities surrounding government’s decision to issue new licenses, adding that the government has not yet made any definite public pronouncements about its plan.

Costa cited confidential sources to allege that, of nine off-shore oil blocks to be tendered in the Harper Basin, President George Weah reportedly owns 50 percent shares in at least two. If this is true, it would amount to a major conflict of interest for the president.

“They are about to sell nine of your country’s oil blocks, quietly. Have they made any public pronouncements about it? They don’t intend to,” Costa said.

These latest allegations by the Council of Patriots chairman come in the wake of claims and subsequent investigation by the Liberia Immigration Service that Costa forged the travel document which he used to enter Liberia on Dec. 19, 2019. In reaction to the government’s efforts to prevent him from leaving the country, Costa has threatened more mass protests.

“We will not let that happen. The next protest will be about oil. It will be an oil protest and not laissez-passer because I am here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has described Costa’s statements as “another cunning attempt at diversion in order to feed on the ignorance of some Liberians,” because information about oil blocks was since provided to the public.

The Information Ministry’s release disclosed that details about the oil blocks were long since carried in the local media, contrary to claims by “some dishonest politicians,” in an apparent reference to Costa.

The press statement said the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority had long announced on Dec. 9, 2019, on its website that oil blocks would be offered during the next licensing round. It said, following unsuccessful ratification of negotiated petroleum sharing contracts in 2014 which climaxed the last bid round, the government made a shrewd and progressive decision to provide efficient institutional governance for any new round of bidding, in order to maximize revenue from potential petroleum resources, and promote Liberian participation.

“The reform, in addition to [a] slump in oil prices and the Ebola crisis, resulted in a temporary dormancy within the sector. After the passage of the New Petroleum and Reform Law, 2014 and the setting up of the LPRA, the government is now in a better position to proceed with the tendering process,” the publication said.

It also added that President Weah, during the SEMICA three-day International Conference on Mining, Energy, and Petroleum, held in Monrovia from Nov. 28-30, 2019, reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding the exploration program in a sustainable, efficient and transparent manner.

It was disclosed that a decision was also reached during a meeting between government agencies and TGS, the geophysical firm hosting Liberia’s offshore seismic data and providing technical support, to establish the needed capabilities and internal mechanisms needed for a successful bid round, thereby attracting the right investors.

The LPRA has said, “the next bid round, expected to commence in April 2020, will affect blocks within the Harper Basin.”

“It is important to note that the 2019 amendment to the New Petroleum Law triggered a re-demarcation process resorting [in] to nine (9) blocks within the Harper Basin and 24 blocks within the Liberia Basin. The entire Harper Basin (9 blocks including from LB-25-LB33) will be tendered during the 2020 licensing round.”

The statements noted it was “a watershed moment” for the country and that the Authority was excited to reach an agreement with all parties, including TGS and [the National Oil Company of Liberia], in promoting Liberia’s offshore acreage and attracting the needed investment towards support for the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development.”

The LPRA is expected to formally announce the date of actual licensing in the new year, which will be announced by the president.

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