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Monrovia, Liberia, May 28, 2026 – The opposition Alternative National Congress (ANC) has called on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to immediately commence a full-scale investigation into the financing, procurement, contracting, authorization, and implementation of the Mano River Union (MRU) Center for Regional Peace and Development project currently underway in Foya, Lofa County.
Recent public disclosures, official government statements, investigative media reports, and growing public concern have raised serious questions regarding the legality, transparency, accountability, and constitutional compliance surrounding this multimillion-dollar undertaking.
In a communication dated May 25, 2026, addressed to the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, the party stated that these concerns strike at the very heart of Liberia’s public financial management architecture, procurement integrity system, and democratic governance framework.
According to the ANC, publicly available information indicates that construction on the project reportedly commenced on or about September 10, 2024, under conditions described by multiple sources as a “national secret” initiative.
The letter further noted that subsequent government clarifications acknowledged that the project is fully owned by the Government of Liberia and financed primarily through contributions from state-owned enterprises (SOEs), including but not limited to NASSCORP, the National Port Authority (NPA), the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), and the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC).
The ANC expressed deep concern over allegations and admissions suggesting that significant public funds may have been committed and expended outside the approved national budgetary framework and without legislative appropriation, as required under the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act and Article 34 of the Constitution of Liberia.
It further alleged that the project may have bypassed mandatory procurement and competitive bidding procedures established under the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Act. Public resources under the control of SOEs may have been redirected without transparent disclosure, legislative oversight, or independent auditing mechanisms.
The party also noted that contradictory public statements regarding the project’s ownership, funding sources, purpose, authorization, and total cost have materially undermined public trust and raised legitimate suspicion of potential abuse of public office and misuse of state resources.
The communication further stated that reported secrecy surrounding the project’s execution may constitute a deliberate circumvention of transparency and accountability safeguards established under Liberian law.
It urged the Commission to determine whether any provisions of the PFM Act, PPCC Act, Penal Law, anti-corruption statutes, or other applicable laws were violated, and to identify all public officials, private contractors, entities, intermediaries, and institutions involved in the approval, financing, and execution of the project.
The party also called for a thorough examination of all financial transfers, procurement records, contracts, memoranda, approvals, and SOE disbursement mechanisms associated with the project, and recommended appropriate criminal, civil, administrative, or restitutionary actions where violations are established.
It further urged the publication of the findings of any such investigation in the interest of transparency, public confidence, and democratic accountability.
The ANC emphasized that this request is not intended to oppose legitimate national development or regional cooperation initiatives.
Rather, it reflects the firm conviction that development must always proceed within the framework of constitutional governance, fiscal transparency, procurement integrity, and the rule of law. Liberia’s democratic future depends not only on what projects are undertaken, but also on how they are implemented.
In conclusion, the ANC stated: “No public official, institution, or political interest should be permitted to operate above the law or beyond public scrutiny. We therefore urge the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to act expeditiously, independently, and courageously in fulfillment of its constitutional and statutory mandate.”
