IPNEWS: A heated debate in the Liberian Senate over the country’s concession sector has ignited public outrage following a sarcastic remark attributed to Lofa County Senator Momo Cyrus, who allegedly suggested that Liberia should be “sold.”
The comment was made during what many described as a serious legislative discussion on the management of Liberia’s mineral resources and the role of the Legislature in approving concession agreements that, over the years, have yielded little to no tangible benefit for the majority of Liberians.
The comment came during a debate over a communication sent to the Legislature by President Joseph N. Boakai seeking to suspend the TIA/LTA Agreement for Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring Services, and subsequently requested the Legislature to take steps to de-ratify the concession Agreement for reasons which includes;
That the contract was awarded in contravention of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) Act of 2010 which requires all procurement processes to be follow but in the case of this concession those processes were bypassed.
That TIA was incorporated in the State of Delaware, USA, only four (4) days after receiving bid documents, and registered in Liberia ten (10) months after the contract was awarded and that, the Revenue share granted to TIA was increased to 49% despite its initial bid proposing 35%.
As Part of the President’s communication, he also stated that the contract was extended for an additional 20 years without demonstrable value for money with “fraud “ established in the procurement process, rendering the contract void ab initio.
While the Senator’s statement appeared sarcastic in nature, it has been widely interpreted by citizens and critics as insensitive and dismissive—especially in a country where a large portion of the population lives on less than one U.S. dollar per day and struggles daily to provide basic necessities for their families.
Senator Cyrus, who was elected in 2020 to represent Lofa County, Liberia’s third most populous county according to national census data, reportedly made no substantive contribution to the debate beyond the controversial remark. For many observers, this raised concerns about the seriousness with which elected officials approach discussions that directly affect national sovereignty and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
Critics argue that such a statement, coming from someone at the highest level of political power, is a “slap in the face” to struggling Liberians. They question how the average citizen should feel when a lawmaker—who enjoys the privileges and benefits of public office—appears to trivialize the nation’s ownership of its own resources.
Although Senator Cyrus’s comment had no direct impact on the outcome of the debate, it has left many Liberians wondering about the mindset of those entrusted with safeguarding the country’s future.
The remark has also reignited broader concerns about the concession system, which has long been criticized for favoring foreign nationals and multinational corporations at the expense of local communities.
On numerous occasions, civil society actors and political critics have accused lawmakers and government officials of failing to adequately protect Liberia’s interests when negotiating or approving concession agreements. These critics allege that personal gains and kickbacks have often taken precedence over national development, transparency, and accountability.
As public frustration continues to grow, many Liberians are calling for greater responsibility, patriotism, and sincerity from their elected leaders—especially when discussing matters as critical as the nation’s land, resources, and economic future.
