By: Andrew B Weah, 0770637216/0886429103, andrewbweah@gmail.com
IPNEWS: Sinoe County Senator Crayton Oldma Duncan has launched a stinging critique of Liberia’s concession agreements, branding them the greatest barrier to the nation’s growth and development.
Speaking at a United Guys for Progress gathering in Samukai Town, Upper Caldwell, Senator Duncan argued that corruption accounts for only about 20 percent of Liberia’s problems, while a staggering 80 percent, he said, arises from the persistent failure of national leaders to hold foreign concessionaires accountable for the exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
The Senator warned that the current concession framework under which companies reportedly pay as little as 3% percent in royalties grossly undervalues Liberia’s vast natural wealth and deprives citizens of the benefits of their own resources. Such arrangements, he stressed, make meaningful and sustainable development virtually impossible.
Senator Duncan further accused successive administrations of maintaining a calculated silence, driven by fear of international backlash and sanctions, while allowing foreign corporations to extract Liberia’s riches unchecked. He also alleged that some public officials personally profit from kickbacks, robbing them of the moral courage to challenge what he described as “fraudulent and exploitative agreements.”
The Sinoe County lawmaker cautioned that unless Liberians collectively demand a comprehensive review and reform of concession deals, the country will remain trapped in a cycle of hardship and underdevelopment.
Senator Duncan’s remarks reflect a growing national sentiment that Liberia’s abundant natural resources continue to enrich foreign interests and a privileged few, while the majority of citizens endure poverty, stagnation, and unfulfilled promises.
