Representative Musa Hassan Bility has issued a strong public appeal to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr., urging the Liberian government to immediately strengthen the country’s petroleum preparedness amid rising instability in the Gulf region, which threatens global fuel supplies.
In an open letter dated March 8, 2026, addressed to President Boakai, the Nimba County District 7 lawmaker cautioned that Liberia could face serious economic disruption if authorities fail to act early to secure adequate petroleum reserves. Bility’s warning comes as international tensions in the Gulf region continue to intensify, raising concerns about the potential impact on global oil supply chains and fuel prices.
According to the lawmaker, history has repeatedly demonstrated that conflicts in the Gulf have immediate and far-reaching consequences for petroleum availability across the world, a development that could place Liberia in a particularly vulnerable position.
“Liberia must not underestimate its vulnerability in such circumstances,” Bility cautioned, noting that the country remains heavily dependent on imported petroleum products.
Unlike oil-producing nations, Liberia imports every gallon of fuel used within its borders. The country’s transportation network, electricity generation, businesses, and daily economic activities rely almost entirely on the steady flow of imported petroleum.
He noted that Liberia does not maintain large strategic reserves capable of cushioning prolonged disruptions in global supply.
Bility argued that this reality demands foresight and immediate preparation from national authorities. Speaking from both industry experience and national concern, the lawmaker said governments often pay a higher price when they ignore early warning signs.
“When warning signals emerge, it is always better for governments to prepare early rather than respond after the crisis has already begun,” he noted.
To avert potential disruption, Bility proposed a series of precautionary measures he believes the government should urgently consider. Among them is the immediate securing and preservation of all petroleum stock currently available within Liberia to serve as a temporary national reserve. He also urged the government to consider placing additional orders for petroleum products while global supply channels remain open.
He acknowledged the move may require financial investment, but insisted the cost of preparedness would be far lower than the economic damage that could result from a nationwide fuel shortage. Fuel shortages, he warned, often trigger a chain reaction across national economies. Transportation systems stall, the cost of food and basic commodities rises sharply, electricity generation is disrupted, and businesses struggle to operate. The Nimba County lawmaker added that the burden ultimately falls on ordinary citizens. “Preventing such a crisis should always be preferable to managing one after it begins,” the lawmaker emphasized.
Bility called on national leaders to view the situation through the lens of preparedness rather than politics, stressing that Liberia’s small and open economy remains highly exposed to global shocks beyond its control. “Acting early can help ensure stability and protect the livelihoods of our people,” he said. Bility's appeal comes in the wake of conflicts in Iran and countries in the Middle East.
He added that other countries across the world are closely monitoring geopolitical developments in the Gulf. A region that remains central to global petroleum production and supply. The Nimba County lawmaker, Musa Hassan Bility, is also a prominent figure in Liberia’s petroleum industry. Beyond his role in the Legislature, he serves as Chief Executive Officer of Strimex Oil and Gas, one of the country’s leading petroleum importers.
He argued that his position within both the political and energy sectors places him in a position to speak on matters affecting Liberia’s fuel supply. Observers say his latest warning about the need for petroleum preparedness adds to mounting global concerns over energy security as international tensions continue to cloud the stability of fuel markets.
Author: Victor Quaye
