MONROVIA- The House of Representatives has voted to hold the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) in contempt of the Legislature after both state institutions failed to appear before the House’s Committee on Hydrocarbon on Friday, October 17, 2025.
Despite prior notice, the two entities did not attend the scheduled hearing and offered no formal excuse—an absence lawmakers described as “a clear act of defiance.”
In contrast, representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) attended as invited.
The House has now ordered that NOCAL and LPRC officials, along with their legal counsels, appear before the committee on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 1:00 PM, to explain why they should not face punitive action.
Committee Chair Rep. Sam P. Jallah emphasized that the Legislature’s oversight role must be respected:
“When institutions under the Executive branch ignore legislative summons, they’re not just disrespecting the committee—they’re disrespecting the Liberian people.”
Lawmakers warned that further noncompliance could lead to harsher penalties as the House strengthens oversight over Liberia’s emerging hydrocarbon sector.
