MONROVIA, LIBERIA — Grand Kru County District #2 Representative and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jonathan Fonati Koffa, has lent his support to two major oil-investment bills submitted by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai — the production sharing agreements with TotalEnergies and High Power Exploration (HPX) — while firmly rejecting a third with Atlas Oranto Petroleum.
In a statement, Koffa called the first two deals “solid investments for the future of Liberia’s resources.” But his ire was reserved for the Oranto deal:
“I will oppose the Atlas Oranto Production Sharing Agreement. Oranto, by its track-record, shows that it does not mean well for Liberia. It does not have the capacity to engage in the activity for which it has been contracted,” Koffa said.
“The last time Oranto got a production sharing agreement from Liberia it was so corrupt that it had to be ‘cleaned’ through a Canadian company in order for it to be purchased by Chevron. Oranto is a flipper to avoid transparency and accountability and will benefit only a few Liberians which they will never name.”
He further challenged the government’s decision-making:
“This same block was the subject of negotiations with ExxonMobil, an American company with a solid record of production. The government must explain why it walked away from ExxonMobil for a more dubious arrangement with a 419 company.”
Background: Koffa’s Speakership and Legal Battle
Representative Koffa, who retains his seat for Grand Kru County’s District #2, resigned as Speaker of the House on 12 May 2025, after nearly eight months of legislative paralysis beginning in October 2024.
The crisis emerged when a breakaway bloc of lawmakers attempted to declare his office vacant in November 2024, triggering legal action. On 6 December 2024, the Supreme Court of Liberia ruled that the attempt to remove Koffa was unconstitutional, affirming his legitimacy as Speaker under Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution.
However, despite the Court’s ruling, the impasse continued. Koffa’s support faded; President Boakai’s decision to engage with the majority bloc further isolated him. Faced with an untenable situation, Koffa relinquished the speakership, emphasizing in his resignation letter the need for new leadership and respect for constitutional order.
Oranto’s Troubled History in Liberia’s Oil Sector
Atlas Oranto Petroleum, a Nigerian-based exploration firm, holds a controversial legacy in Liberia’s oil sector. The company previously secured a production sharing contract for offshore Block LB-12, only for its tenure to be exposed for alleged irregularities and lack of capacity. The block was later sold through a Canadian intermediary and eventually acquired by Chevron following a “clean-up” process.
Critics argue that Oranto functions as a “block flipper” — obtaining rights cheaply and reselling them, avoiding long-term investment and accountability. Koffa’s opposition highlights concerns about repeating past mistakes and underscores demands for transparency and stronger governance in resource deals.
Policy and Political Implications
Koffa’s public positioning places him as a vocal critic of government decision-making in the natural-resources sector, even as he remains within the ruling coalition’s orbit. His support for the TotalEnergies and HPX deals signals willingness to back incoming investment — but his rejection of the Oranto contract indicates a clear red line on governance and investor integrity. The debate around the Oranto agreement may now become a litmus test for the government’s commitment to prudent resource management and due diligence. For Koffa, this stance bolsters his credibility as a conscientious lawmaker who is unafraid to dissent — a significant posture for the remainder of his term.
