The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, has expressed strong support for Executive Order No. 151 recently issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., placing a ban on the exportation of unprocessed rubber from Liberia. House Speaker, Koon, described the Executive Order as “a bold and timely intervention” aimed at transforming Liberia’s raw material-based economy into one that fosters local industry, creates jobs, and promotes national economic self-sufficiency. He reminded the public that similar Executive Orders had been issued in the past: In 2014, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf issued Executive Order No. 50, aiming to protect the domestic rubber processing industry by discouraging the export of raw rubber. In 2022, former President George Manneh Weah followed suit with Executive Order No. 114, extending the moratorium to stabilize the sector and attract local investment. Despite these efforts, the policy gains were not sustained long enough to result in a structural shift but we now have a new opportunity backed by strong political will and legislative commitment to finally change the course of our economic development, Speaker Koon said. He further disclosed that under his leadership, the House of Representatives has resolved not to approve any concession agreement involving Liberia’s natural resources that does not include enforceable value addition mechanisms. Rubber has played a central role in Liberia’s economy for more than a century. Yet the benefits to the country and its citizens remain limited due to the consistent export of the commodity in its raw form. That must change, he emphasized. The Speaker called on all industry stakeholders, especially smallholder farmers, processors, and investors, to embrace this new direction and see it as an opportunity to build a more resilient and inclusive economy. He assured that the Legislature stands ready to collaborate with the Executive and relevant sectors to ensure the implementation of this policy in a manner that is fair, transparent, and beneficial to the Liberian people.
