By K. Ericson Sayee
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia -April 14, 2026–The House of Representatives has initiated an inquiry into the recent upward adjustments in petroleum product prices, made by the Ministry of Commerce in consultation with the Liberia Petroleum Refining Authority, affecting both retail and wholesale markets in the country.
The House’s decision to launch an investigation into the retail and wholesale upward adjustments predicated upon the formal communication from Margibi County District #3, Representative, Hon. Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh, craving the indulgence and support of her colleagues invite and query the Minister of Commerce and the head of the LPRC.
As of April 4, 2026, the Liberian government accounted an increase in petroleum product prices due to international market pressures, setting gasoline at US$ 5.09(L$950 per gallon) and fuel oil at US$ 6.55(L$1,225 per gallon), marking it the second time in roll that government has increased these prices.
Writing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Nagbe Koon, which was read before the plenary of the House, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, during the 3rd day sitting of the special session, Rep. Attoh-Wreh informed the legislature that there is a need to have the listed institutions come before the plenary to answer to why actually necessitated their decisions, after hearing that there are enough petroleum products in stock.
She emphasized that it is prudent to know whether their decision was based on an expected products or products that were already in country, adding that their clear explanation will inform the Liberians ahead of any further adjustments if there would be any.
“I believe that their explanation will help the end-users to prepared for any further possible situation reoccurrence,” the Margibi County legislator asserted.
Making the motion following the reading of the communication, Maryland County District #2 Representative, Rep. Anthony F. William expressed that the communication be accepted.
He also added that the Commerce Minister be given three minutes to further elaborate of what really led to her decision. The motion was seconded and endorsed that Rep. Attoh-Wreh speaks for three minutes.
During the House plenary deliberations, Rep. Attoh-Wreh noted that she is cognizant of the situation unfolding globally that is affecting the prices of gasoline and diesel, making it clear that she is not in denial of the situation facing the world.
But she added that it is paramount that the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Commerce and Liberia Petroleum Refining Authority, be invited before the plenary to explain what informed their decision to upward adjust the prices of gasoline and diesel.
Rep. Attoh-Wreh noted it was recently reported by the LPRC that there are sufficient products in the country, and for the government to do an upward adjustment in the prices of these essential products, she wants the heads of these institutions to expound their move to uptick the prices of these commodities.
She disclosed that in these kinds of situations there are individuals who would want to maximize profits at the expense of the troubling situation that is affecting the world, noting that if the legislature does not step in, there would be an intense situation, fearing that it will not result to chaos.
Their explanations, according to her, should be able to reveal to the House the price of the new products coming into the country, which will inform the people to be ready as to whether there will be an increase or decrease.
“So, we can mentally be prepared and financially to purchase. We know people will start to create artificial scarcity”, she explained.
Meanwhile, after her deliberations, the House of Representatives mandated the Committees on Commerce and SOE to invite the heads of the Ministry of Commerce and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Authority and are asked to report their findings to plenary on Friday, April 17, 2026.