Africa-Press – Liberia. The Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND) and its partner, We The People Movement—organizers of the planned December 17 “Lead or Leave” protest—have demanded the immediate cancellation of the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) recently signed between the Boakai administration and Atlas/Oranto Petroleum.
The deal, valued at over US$1 billion, covers offshore oil blocks LB-15, LB-16, LB-22, and LB-24, and was signed through the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA). STAND has described it as “a corrupt sellout of Liberia’s natural wealth,” claiming it was executed without transparency, public disclosure, or competitive bidding.
“This deal is a brazen attack on Liberia’s sovereignty, a blatant abuse of public trust, and a deliberate handover of the nation’s natural wealth to a private few,” the group stated. “It threatens the country’s economic future and undermines the rights of all Liberians.”
STAND Alleges Legal Violations
STAND, in a statement isued by its Chairman Mulbah Morlu, said the Atlas/Oranto agreement was secretly negotiated and reportedly signed in Paris, France, in violation of several national laws and international transparency standards. These include the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 2019, the Public Procurement and Concessions Act of 2010, the LEITI Act of 2009, the Environmental Protection and Management Law of 2003, and Article 7 of the Liberian Constitution, which requires that national resources be managed for the maximum benefit of the people.
The group further accused the government of breaching international commitments such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Global Standard.
“By ignoring these legal frameworks, the Boakai administration has compromised the rule of law, mortgaged the country’s future, and mocked Liberia’s commitment to good governance. This is not investment—it is exploitation,” the statement added.
Citing History of Corruption
STAND also revisited Oranto Petroleum’s previous operations in Liberia between 2004 and 2007, claiming the company acquired oil blocks LB-11, LB-12, and LB-14 through bribery and non-transparent negotiations, before selling them to Chevron for over US$200 million without any drilling or tangible benefit to the country.
“This new deal follows the same path of corruption and deceit,” STAND alleged. “Oranto Petroleum lacks both the financial and technical capacity to conduct deepwater exploration, which can cost up to US$200 million per well.”
The group suggested the company’s intent may be to “speculate and resell Liberia’s resources for profit, leaving the nation empty-handed.”
Demands and Warning to the Legislature
STAND and its partners called on the National Legislature to reject and cancel what they termed an “illegitimate and unlawful contract.” They demanded immediate cancellation of the Atlas/Oranto Petroleum PSC for blocks LB-15, LB-16, LB-22, and LB-24, full publication of all existing and pending Production Sharing Contracts under the LEITI framework, an open, competitive bidding process for future oil blocks in compliance with the Petroleum Act of 2019, an independent investigation into all officials and entities involved in the negotiation and approval of the deal.
“Operation Octopus” Protest Looms
The group warned that failure to cancel the deal will intensify public mobilization for the upcoming December 17 “Lead or Leave” protest, dubbed “Operation Octopus.”
“The Oranto Oil Deal is a national disgrace and a criminal affront to the Liberian people,” the statement concluded. “Liberia’s natural resources are the inheritance of its people—not a private estate for corrupt elites. They must not be bartered away in secret.”
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