Sen. Dillon Hailed Over Proposed Act Creating LPRC

The Managing Director of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), Amos Tweh, has commended Abraham Darius Dillon, Senator of Montserrado County, for introducing a draft legislation aimed at strengthening the legal framework governing the country’s petroleum sector. MD Tweh made the remarks Monday during a public hearing organized by a joint committee of the Liberian Senate, comprising the Committees on Judiciary, Claims and Petitions; Hydrocarbon and Energy; and Ways, Means and Finance. The hearing was convened as part of the Senate’s strategic review of the proposed Act submitted by Senator Dillon seeking to formally establish and strengthen LPRC through legislation.      

The public hearing provided a platform for government officials, private sector stakeholders, and industry experts to offer input into the draft bill aimed at modernizing Liberia’s downstream petroleum sector and reinforcing national energy security. In his address to the lawmakers, Tweh praised the Montserrado County Senator and other members of the Senate for what he described as a patriotic initiative intended to modernize the country’s petroleum governance structure. “On behalf of the management of the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, we first want to extend our profound appreciation and sincere gratitude to Honourable Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon and to all the distinguished Senators who have demonstrated foresight, patriotism and national commitment by supporting this important legislative initiative,” Tweh stated. 

He explained that the current legal framework guiding the petroleum sector dates back to 1989 and now requires significant reform to align with modern energy realities. “In 1989, the Legislature enacted the Exclusive Rights Act granting LPRC the authority to import, store, distribute and commercialize petroleum and petroleum-related products within the Republic of Liberia. This legislation was not enacted by accident; it was a deliberate national policy decision to ensure that Liberia retained institutional oversight over one of its most critical economic lifelines,” he said. According to the LPRC Managing Director, the proposed legislative reform would strengthen the institution’s statutory authority while maintaining a stable and well-regulated downstream petroleum market. 

“We respectfully urge this Honourable Senate to give very careful and favourable consideration to the amendment of the 1989 Exclusive Rights Act — a step that is both timely and necessary to strengthen Liberia’s downstream petroleum sector and enhance national energy security,” he added. The LPRC Boss emphasized that the reform would not prevent private sector participation in the petroleum sector but rather create a stronger institutional framework to ensure stability and transparency. “Such an amendment, distinguished Senators, will help ensure that Liberia’s petroleum supply system remains stable, transparent and capable of supporting the country’s growing economic and energy infrastructure needs,” he noted. 

Sen. Dillon Clarifies Purpose of Bill:

Meanwhile, Senator Dillon, the proponent of the bill, clarified that the legislation is intended to provide a clear legal basis for LPRC’s operations, noting that the entity currently operates primarily under incorporation documents rather than a specific act of the Legislature.

“LPRC as a public entity has been existing on articles of incorporation from 1978, not through a structured enactment of an Act of the Legislature to determine what it can do, what it cannot do, and how it should be governed,” Dillon explained. He further stated that the proposed legislation would establish governance structures and accountability mechanisms for the institution. “When you are operating under articles of incorporation you are more like a business entity that renews its business registration every year. When you are acting under an Act of the Legislature as a public entity, you don’t need to do business registration every year,” the Senator added. 

Dillon noted that the bill would define LPRC’s administrative structure, appointment processes, and operational mandate, while ensuring stronger oversight of the country’s petroleum supply chain. “We want to enact LPRC into law, give authority to the President of Liberia to appoint its leadership subject to Senate confirmation, and clearly define the institution’s functions and obligations,” he said. The Montserrado lawmaker also stressed that the Senate hearing was meant to gather views from stakeholders before the Legislature takes final action on the proposed bill. 

“All of you are here today to provide your input into this draft bill to determine what is good for the country,” Dillon said. If enacted, Dillon’s proposed legislation is expected to establish a stronger legal framework for LPRC, enhance regulatory clarity in Liberia’s petroleum sector, and reinforce national energy security while maintaining space for private sector participation. The Senate Joint committee is however expected to review submissions from the hearing and make recommendations to the plenary of the Liberian Senate for further legislative consideration.