Published: July 15, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Mornovia – The National Bureau of Concessions (NBC) has presented long-awaited compliance review reports on three of Liberia’s major agricultural concessions to the Maryland Legislative Caucus, House leadership and other key stakeholders, recommending the renegotiation of concession agreements governing the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC) and the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) to better align them with Liberia’s current economic realities and the development needs of host communities.
Hanson Senu Kiazolu Sr., Director General of the National Bureau of Concessions (NBC), formally presented the reports Tuesday at the Capitol Building, describing them as the culmination of years of technical work that began under his predecessor and has now been finalized under his administration.
The reports cover the compliance status of the Cavalla Rubber Corporation (CRC), Maryland Oil Palm Plantation (MOPP) and the Liberia Agricultural Company (LAC). In addition to presenting the reports to the Maryland Legislative Caucus, the NBC also submitted copies to Representative Foday E. Fahnbulleh, Chairman of the House Committee on Investment and Concessions, and Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon. Copies have also been forwarded to the Executive Mansion and other relevant government institutions, including the National Investment Commission (NIC), to facilitate discussions on concession reforms.
“Today, I’m excited to be the first Director General of the National Bureau of Concessions to present compliance review reports with full recommendations for the Cavalla Rubber Corporation and the Maryland Oil Palm Plantation,” Kiazolu said. “These concessions have not been reviewed for a number of years. My predecessor started the work, developed the reports, and today we are concluding that process.”
According to Kiazolu, each report contains findings from the bureau’s compliance assessment, responses from the concessionaires and a series of recommendations intended to strengthen concession governance and improve benefits for the Liberian people.
Calls for Renegotiation
A central recommendation contained in the reports is the renegotiation of the concession agreements for CRC and MOPP.
Kiazolu said although the agreements remain legally valid, many of their provisions no longer reflect Liberia’s evolving economic landscape or adequately address the expectations of host communities.
“The concessions need to be renegotiated because they are antiquated. They need to be contemporary and reflect today’s reality in terms of our macroeconomic trajectory,” he said.
Clarifying his position, Kiazolu explained that he was not suggesting the agreements had expired.
“Obsolete may not be the right word because when something is obsolete, it means it has expired. These agreements have not expired. But the contents no longer reflect today’s realities and are not sufficient to meet the country’s current development expectations.”
He said renegotiating the agreements would ensure they better serve government, investors and host communities alike.
Community Development Fund Identified as Major Concern
The compliance review also highlighted concerns surrounding the Community Development Fund (CDF), which the bureau says has not been properly remitted.
Kiazolu disclosed that the NBC will assign an independent accountant to determine the amount owed under the Community Development Fund.
“The Community Development Fund has not been remitted. We are sending an independent accountant to determine the amount,” he said.
He noted that while the concessionaires have not refused to contribute to the Oil Palm Development Fund, they have requested clear policy guidance from the NBC regarding its administration.
“We have done this before with another concession, and we intend to do the same here. These are resources that need to be protected so they can be used for life-changing development projects in the communities.”
Significant Portions of Concession Land Remain Idle
Another major issue identified in the reports is the underutilization of concession land.
According to Kiazolu, substantial portions of land allocated to both concessionaires remain undeveloped despite being granted specifically for agricultural expansion.
He disclosed that both MOPP and CRC have utilized less than 40 percent of their concession areas, while LAC has developed only about 18 percent of the land allocated under its concession agreement.
“They have not been able to utilize substantial portions of the land granted to them. Some of the challenges relate to community land disputes, while others are due to the companies’ inability to expand operations,” he said.
He argued that idle concession land limits opportunities for additional investment because the government cannot allocate land already committed under existing agreements to other investors.
“Other investors could come in and invest, but those concession areas have already been allocated.”
Maryland Caucus Welcomes Findings
Receiving the reports on behalf of the Maryland Legislative Caucus, Representative Anthony F. Williams described the presentation as a milestone in a process that communities have awaited for years.
“This is a dream come true—at least partially,” Williams said. “Since 2011, the concession agreements have not been reviewed even though they were supposed to be reviewed every five years.”
He said previous lawmakers had pursued the issue without success, but his office adopted a more collaborative approach by engaging the relevant government institutions.
“I decided to change the engagement. Instead of public confrontation, I pursued dialogue with the institutions responsible, and today we are seeing the results.”
Williams welcomed the recommendation to establish a properly managed Community Development Fund to ensure that revenues generated from concession operations directly benefit host communities.
“I believe that recommendation is one we must pursue so our people receive the benefits they deserve.”
He also pledged to work alongside fellow lawmakers in advocating for the renegotiation of the concession agreements.
“I believe the President, the National Investment Commission and the Legislature will support this process.”
Representative Austin B. Taylor also praised the NBC for completing what he described as a long-overdue technical exercise.
“This report has been long overdue, and we have patiently waited for it,” Taylor said.
He noted that while concession operations affect different districts in varying degrees, all residents of Maryland County have an interest in ensuring the agreements are updated.
“This compliance monitoring report provides the technical framework that should ultimately lead to a comprehensive review of these concession agreements.”
Technical Reports Intended to Guide Policymakers
Kiazolu emphasized that the compliance reports are technical documents designed to inform policymakers rather than political statements.
“This is a technical report. It is for policymakers to read, digest and use in making informed decisions,” he said. “What is important is that the stakeholders receive the reports and begin implementing the recommendations.”
He expressed confidence that the findings would assist the Executive Branch, the Legislature, the National Investment Commission and other stakeholders in advancing reforms that improve concession governance, strengthen accountability and ensure host communities receive greater benefits from Liberia’s natural resources.
The presentation marks one of the most comprehensive recent reviews of concession compliance involving CRC, MOPP and LAC and is expected to shape future discussions on concession reform, land utilization, community development and investment policy in Liberia.
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