PHOTO: Sen. Crayton Duncan of Sinoe County
By Sampson W Weah, sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
Sinoe County Senator, Crayton Oldma Duncan has sharply criticized Liberia’s concession agreements, describing them as the single biggest obstacle to the country’s growth and development.
Addressing the United Guys for Progress gathering in Samukai Town, Upper Caldwell, Senator Duncan argued that corruption accounts for only about 20 percent of Liberia’s challenges, while a massive 80 percent stems from the failure of national leaders to hold foreign concessionaires accountable for the exploitation of Liberia’s natural resources.
He warned that the existing concession framework—under which companies reportedly pay as little as 30 percent in royalties—grossly undervalues the nation’s wealth and denies Liberians the benefits of their own resources.
According to the Sinoe County Senator, such arrangements make genuine development impossible.
Senator Duncan accused successive leaders of maintaining a deliberate silence, driven by fear of international backlash and sanctions, while allowing foreign corporations to strip the country of its riches. He further alleged that many officials benefit personally from kickbacks, leaving them without the courage to challenge what he described as “fraudulent and exploitative agreements.”
The Sinoe County lawmaker cautioned that unless Liberians rise up to demand the review and reform of these concession deals, the cycle of hardship and underdevelopment will persist.
Sen. Duncan’s statement echoes a growing national sentiment that Liberia’s abundant natural resources are enriching foreign interests and a privileged few, while the broader population continues to bear the burden of poverty and stagnation.