IPNEWS: The Chief Executive Officer of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Fabian Lai, has pushed back strongly against circulating reports that a substance recently found in Grand Bassa is crude oil or hydrocarbon.
Speaking to Dnnews, Lai said such claims are inaccurate and premature, stressing that NOCAL is not aware of any confirmed discovery of crude oil in the area. He explained that the company is still conducting scientific analysis and laboratory testing on samples collected from the site.
According to Lai, no conclusions have been reached, and any public statements suggesting that crude oil has been discovered are not based on verified information. He emphasized that proper testing and validation are essential before any determination can be made, warning against speculation that could mislead the public and raise unrealistic expectations.
The NOCAL CEO reiterated that the institution follows strict technical and regulatory procedures in evaluating any potential petroleum-related findings. Until those processes are completed and results officially released, he said, claims of oil or hydrocarbon discovery should be treated as false.
Lai’s clarification comes amid growing public discussion and social media reports surrounding the substance found in Grand Bassa, underscoring the need for accurate information and responsible communication on matters of national economic importance.
