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LEITI GETS NEW HEAD AND DEPUTY HEAD OF SECRETARIAT                        February 22,2021

The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) now has a new Head and Deputy Head of Secretariat.
 The Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group of the LEITI   on February 20, 2021, disclosed the hiring of Jeffrey N. Yates, Head of Secretariat, and Daniel B. Tipason, Deputy Head of Secretariat following a rigorous recruitment exercise that lasted for almost a year. Both men were finally awarded contracts by the MSG on February 20, 2021, after a comprehensive recommendation from the Finance and Administration Committee of the Board
 Jeffrey N. Yates joined the LEITI in 2016 as Head of Finance after serving the General Auditing Commission (GAC) in several capacities including Supreme Auditor, Senior Auditor, and Performance Audit Manager. After the GAC, Mr. Yates was hired as the Professional Ethics and Anti-Fraud Consultant under the World Bank and assigned to the Liberia Revenue Authority Formation Office. He holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) as well as a Certified Forensic Investigation Professional (CFIP).
 Mr. Yates before his recruitment served the LEITI Secretariat as Officer-In-Charge from September 2019 to February 2021.
 Daniel B. Tipason for his part joins the LEITI with a wealth of experience in both public and private sectors having served the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) as Executive Director for nine years from 2008 to 2017. Mr. Tipason holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Regional Science and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Economics from the University of Liberia.
 In a statement of appointment on behalf of the MSG, the Chairperson of the MSG Mr. C. Mike Doyen thanked all stakeholders and expressed the government’s continuous commitment to the scrupulous implementation of the EITI process in the Country. He assured the new head and his deputy of the MSG’s commitment and support admonishing them to innovate ideas to move the entity forward. See full release

Concession coordinates for Agriculture, Forestry and mining

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Liberia EITI Rally calls for support as suspension is lifted
March 24, 2020

The Multi-stakeholder Steering Group of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) has termed as a huge relief, the recent decision of the EITI board to lift the temporary suspension on Liberia.
The EITI Board suspended Liberia in September 2018 due to its failure to publish EITI Reports for 2016/17 and 2017/18, 2019 Annual Work Plan, and 2017/18 Annual Progress Report. The Board reiterated its decision in mid-2019 due to delays in publication of the 2017/18 EITI Report, 2017/18 Annual Progress Report, and 2019 Annual Work Plan.
In a statement released in Monrovia recently, the MSG extolled all stakeholders especially the President of Liberia, George Manneh Weah and his government for the expressed commitment to making the EITI process workable and fully operational in Liberia.
The release further quotes the MSG as appealing to the President to continue his unflinching support to the full implementation of the EITI process in Liberia as the Country continues to make strides of historical significance to the global community.
The Body, however, reminded itself that the lifting of the suspension comes with a huge task as Liberia’s Second Validation is now slated for July 1, 2020, just four months away. “The MSG must now reinvigorate itself for this task and all others.” The statement noted.
The EITI Board effective March 6, 2020, lifted the temporary suspension on Liberia after the Country compliance to the provisions of key documents before the deadline.

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​Bady Balde appointed as EITI Deputy Executive Director
 

EITI’s Africa Director, Bady Baldé, has been appointed as its Deputy Executive Director. Going forward, Bady will combine the roles of Africa and Deputy Executive Director. 
“I am delighted that Bady will take up the role of Deputy Executive Director at the EITI International Secretariat," commented Mark Robinson, EITI’s Executive Director. "Bady is an accomplished speaker and strategist, whose skills and substantial country experience will take the EITI forward, as it continues to raise the bar on extractives transparency.”  
Bady joined the EITI in 2010 and has progressively assumed more responsibilities for our technical, country and policy work. He brings a wealth of both technical and political experience to this role. He has also led the Secretariat’s work on several major policy areas. On commodity trading transparency, for example, Bady’s work has resulted in EITI transparency requirements on commodity trading and the establishment of the commodity trading working group. As Africa Director, Bady oversees the International Secretariat’s work in 24 implementing countries in Africa. Over many years, Bady worked to promote transparency and good governance in challenging environments such as the DRC, Chad and the Republic of the Congo. He is also substantially involved in outreach activities in countries such as Niger, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Uganda,  South Africa and Zimbabwe.  
 

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MSG Approves 10th & 11th EITI Reports for Liberia
 December 31, 2019
The Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) on December 31, 2019, endorsed and approved the 10th_and_11th_eiti_report_for_liberia covering the periods 2016/17 and 2017/18.
LEITI MSG at the start of October 2019 commissioned BDO-UK in collaboration with Parker & Associates Liberia, two reputable auditing firms to prepare the 10th &11th EITI Reports for Liberia.
The reports reveal that the total revenue received by the government from the oil, mining, forestry and agriculture sectors for the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 amounted to USD53.84m, whilst the total amount received for the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 amounted to USD68.9m. This represents a 28% increase in revenues collected from the sectors covered under Liberia’s EITI scope.
The 2017/18 report shows a difference of $490,521 government receipts over what was reportedly paid by companies. LEITI will investigate further these discrepancies. The report also reveals challenges in sectorial oversights, data collection and licensing processes, among others. LEITI will begin to work with relevant government ministries and agencies to address these concerns.
With today’s approval and launch, the report is now set to be disseminated across the country to discuss the findings with the citizens and solicit feedback on how to improve governance of the extractive sector. 
In addition to the 10th and 11th EITI Reports, the LEITI MSG has also approved and published the 2017 and 2018 Annual Progress Reports, and the 2019/20 fully costed Workplan in keeping with EITI Requirements.
The Chairperson thanked all stakeholders and expressed government’s commitment to transparency in the extractive sector. He assured all stakeholders that LEITI will continue to play its role in ensuring that Liberians benefit from their abundant extractive resources. Whilst the publishing of these reports is a significant step forward, the Chairperson highlighted the challenges for Liberia’s third EITI Validation which will commence shortly. He encouraged the entire MSG and other stakeholders to continue their good support towards the EITI implementation so that Liberia passes EITI Validation. LEITI has lifted in its 2019/2020 Workplan key activities including a Beneficial Ownership Registry and Mainstreaming the EITI reporting process. The Chairperson also called on the government and development partners to ensure these key initiatives are funded.
Along with reports the MSG also approved the combined 2017 and 2018 Annual Activity report and the costed 2019/2020 workplan.


LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT REITERATES SUPPORT TO EITI IMPLEMENTATION AS DE LISTING DEADLINE APPROACHES
December 30, 2019

The Liberian Government has reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of the EITI process in the Country as EITI deadline for delisting nears.
Liberia, which is under suspension for failing to meet its reporting obligations in 2017 is at the verge of being delisted if it cannot meet the December 31, 2019 deadline for the publication of its EITI report.
Since October this year the Country has been making frantic efforts to prepare and publish the report on or before the stipulated deadline and the Government has been keenly involved with the process thus far.
A reinforcement of its willingness was again recently expressed at an emergency meeting of the Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) held at a local hotel in Monrovia.
The meeting was intended to review and report on the progress of the report as well as make final preparations for the publication of the Report which is said to be in its finalization stage.
Speaking to a well-attended gathering of the MSG, Liberia’s minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel Mcgill flanked by Finance Minister Samuel Tweah pledged the Government’s unrelenting commitment to the implementation process of the EITI in Liberia.
Minister Mcgill told the MSG that the Government will continue to work with the LEITI in meeting its obligations with the international Secretariat of the EITI even after the Country has met the deadline as stipulated.
Liberia’s suspension was catalyst by the Government direct involvement in the appointment of a head of secretariat contrary to the Act creating the institution.
But the Government has since redrew its appointment leaving all recruitment processes with the MSG as required by law.

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President Weah Completes the constitution of the LEITI’s MSG
September 25,2018


As a means of indicating the Government of Liberia’s continuous commitment in fostering transparent resource management through the implementation of the EITI process in Liberia,

President George Manneh Weah, has completed the appointment of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). 

Hon. C. Mike Donyen of the Liberia Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Chairman(MSG) 

Hon. Gesler E. Murray representing the Ministry of  Mines and Energy (MME)  Co-Chair(MSG) Other nominees appointed to the MSG are:

Mr. Baryou Wallace      Liberia Labor Congress                                               Member
Mr. Esiaka B. Konneh   Liberia Gold/Diamond Broker & Dealers Association- Member

Mrs.Celecia Danuwieli  Publish What You Pay                                                 Member

Mr.Daniel Nyankonah, Jr.Press Union of Liberia               -                               Member

Mr.AnsuSekou Konneh Western Cluster Limited  -                                           Member

Mr. E. Ekema A. Witherspoon, I  Liberia Timber Association                                Member

Mr. Elvis G. Morris -     Golden Veroleum Liberia         -                                   Member

Mr. Eric N. Swen  -       Arcelor Mittal                         -                                   Member

Mr.Raymond Gwenigale –Firestone Liberia             -                                            Member
 
The finalization of the constitution of the MSG comes in the wake of the recommendation made by the international EITI secretariat to the Government of Liberia in its suspension notice published on its website on September 6, 2018, which calls for the immediate constitution the MSG in partnership with the civil society and the industries so as to revitalize the implementation of the EITI activities in Liberia.
Early September 2018, the EITI board reached a decision to suspend Liberia from its international body and also refuse to grant Liberia the rights to extend its validation exercise on grounds that the request submitted did not meet the approval of a full functioning MSG. The absent of functioning was one of the facts that dragged Liberia it the current suspension that the country is currently enduring.
However, with this fully legitimate constituted MGS, Liberia  can now work its way out of suspension within the timeframe given by the EITI board.  

President Weah Requests the Nominations of Civil Society and Private Sector Representatives to the MSG.

In an effort to complete the formulation of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group(MSG) of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(LEITI), on Monday, September 17, 2018, the President and Champion of the EITI activities here in Liberia, Amb. George Manneh Weah has requested selected Civil Society Organizations and companies in the Private Sector to nominate their representatives to the MSG.

The President’s action is in accordance with section 6.4 (b and c) of the LEITI ACT of 2009 which calls for the representation of four permanent civil society organizations including the Publish What You Pay or its successor organization to serve on the Civil Society bloc of the MSG as well as the representation of four companies from the Private Sector, with one from each of the sectors being watched over by the LEITI.

The requested organizations include:

Civil Society Organization

Publish What You Pay
Liberia Labor Congress
National Civil Society Network of Liberia
Press Union of Liberia
Liberia Gold and Diamond Association  

Private Sector

Golden Veroleum Liberia
Western Cluster Liberia
ArcelorMittal Liberia
Liberia Timber Association
Firestone Liberia

In addition to these nominations,
President Weah has requested at least six additional international organizations to serve as observers to the LEITI MSG. Below listed are the organizations:

Observer

United Nations Development Program(UNDP)
German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)               
African Development Bank (AfDB)
European Union (EU)
World Bank(WB)
United States Embassy

Since the end of the tenure of the previous MSG in October of 2017, the body has been unable to convene due to its incompleteness which contravenes section 2.3.4 of the MSG Policy Manual.

The Manual requires that at least two thirds of the membership of each sector represented on the MSG are to be present at all meetings to obtain a quorum.

The formulation of the MSG is a momentous milestone in lifting the suspension of Liberia which was imposed in the early September by the EITI International Board.
 

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO LIBERIA’S SUSPENSION BY THE EITI BOARD

Monday, September 10, 2018: The Government of Liberia has received, with surprise and disappointment, the EITI Board’s decision to suspend Liberia for delay in publishing its 9th EITI Report due since June 2016. In its statement suspending Liberia, the EITI Board clearly indicated in paragraph one that, “The EITI Board decided on 4 September 2018 to suspend Liberia for not publishing the EITI Report for the FISCAL PERIOD ENDING JUNE 2016 within the 1 July 2018 deadline.”
The fact that Liberia has missed its deadline for reporting on a 2015/2016 fiscal period which ended in June 2016 cannot be attributed to a 7-month old government. Clearly, the country’s suspension reflects our government’s inability to publish a report covering July 2015 – 2016, two to three years ago.
It is rather unfortunate for our fellow compatriots whose patriotism should invoke nationalistic concerns to jubilantly embark on a misguided information distortion jamboree for the sake of vilifying this new Administration led by President George Manneh Weah. They will never succeed because Liberia is getting back on track as advised in the Board’s communication to the Government.
These anti-nationalistic elements must be reminded that from June 2015 – January 2018 spans a period of one year six months for Liberia to have completed and published its 9th EITI Report. The insinuation that what a previous Government failed to publish in 18 months should be the fault of a 7-month old Government is both unpatriotic, unacceptable and unjustified if not preposterous.
As a Government and People, we like to emphatically state for the record that under President George Manneh Weah, we are committed to the ideals and core values of the EITI and will do everything to ensure compliance for reinstatement.  The Government reassures the public that this will happen soon under the able leadership of His Excellency President George Manneh Weah.
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President Weah Names Nine-Member Committee; Mandates Review of All Agreements, Contracts with Concessionaires…
February 15, 2018

Liberian President George M. Weah has constituted a Nine-member Special Review Committee to evaluate all concessions/management and other Agreements including contracts entered into by and between the Government of Liberia and Concessionaires and/or Contractors.
 According to an Executive Mansion release, the President formed the committee on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 and mandated it to review and ensure that all contracts entered into by the Government of Liberia and Concessionaires are executed according to agreed principles in accordance with the Laws of Liberia. Read More

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LEITI HOLDS TECHNICAL WORKSHOP AHEAD OF 9TH REPORT PREPARATION
November 27, 2017

The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) has conducted a one day technical workshop on the submission of payment and revenue data for the 9th EITI Report for Liberia.
Speaking at a well-attended gathering in Paynesville, outside the nation’s capital Monrovia, the Head of the LEITI Secretariat, Mr. Konah Karmo said the EITI process has made tremendous progress on the Country especially in the fight against corruption in the sector noting that scrupulous implementation of the process in the Country has led to the revealing and subsequent closure of’ loop holes of corruption.’ Read more

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…. ‘AMPLIFYING OUR VOICES’
July10, 2017
Recently, a three man LEITI team led by Deputy Head of Secretariat Myer W. Saye Sr. left Monrovia for Nimba and Bong Counties to again disseminate the abridged contract matrix. The contract matrix as it is called is a summarized and simplified version of major concession agreements signed between the Government of Liberia and the extractive companies. Other members of the team were Sector Analyst Elijah Kai and Finance Assistant George Dennis. Read more.

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 LEGISLATURE TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS ON POST AWARD PROCESS AUDIT REPORT
The lower house of the Liberian legislature will shortly hold a public hearing on the  second post award process audit report recently released by the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative(LEITI).
The chairman of the House's Committee on Lands, Mines, Natural resources and Environment recently requested a meeting with the Head  of LEITI Secretariat and his technical team  aimed at fully understanding the nature of the report and the findings thereof so as to comprehensively seek the necessary solutions..Read more.


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LEITI HOLDS DIALOGUE MEETINGS WITH CONCESSION STAKEHOLDERS
The Liberian adage that ‘anything you don’t know is older than you’ recently manifested in Sinoe and Maryland Counties when the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) with support from the Liberia Accountability Voice Initiative (LAVI), a USAID funded project disseminated the simplified version of over twenty six extractive based concession agreements in Liberia.  Read more


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‘OPEN THE PROCESS TO US’
-BONG AND NIMBA CITIZENS CHALLENGE GOVERNMENT
Liberians in Bong and Nimba Counties are calling for transparency in the distribution of social contributions from concession companies operating in their respective Counties.
On March 6, 2017 until March 20, 2017 a team from the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) lead by its Deputy Head of Secretariat, Mr. Myer W. Saye Sr. visited six concession affected communities in Nimba and Bong Counties for the dissemination of simplified concession agreements signed with the Liberian government over the years. The agreements are all extractive related-mining, agriculture, oil and forestry. Read more.


Snapshot of the LEITI Process
As part of our mission we seek to widely disseminate information to the Liberian people: Review our company database to learn more about the actors in the industry, read our most recent reports, or browse our extensive contract and concession library to view the contracts signed by the Government of Liberia.

Keep tabs on LEITI by liking our Facebook page, following us on Twitter, or reading our regularly updated blog.
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FOR FAILING TO FILE TIMELY DATA, LEITI PUBLISHES NAMES OF DELINQUENT COMPANIES
January 5,2018
The Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative has named several companies and a government agency for failing to make timely disclosure of tax payment data to the 9th EITI Report on Liberia.
 Eleven Companies and a government agency were listed and published in several local dailies in Monrovia as well as aired on popular radio shows.
 Article 4(b) of the LEITI Act of 2009 requires that all extractive companies and covered Government’s ministries and agencies disclose, at least once every year, the data of all payments made and revenues received in respect of the extraction of Liberia’s forest and mineral resources. This initiative is in support of the government’s effort to promote transparency and accountability over the management of revenues from Liberia’s extractive resources, ensuring that all citizens benefit from such resources.
“The preparation of the 9th Report for Liberia is on-going and at the data collection and payments reconciliation stage; and to date, a number of companies and a government agency have failed to submit payment data in both soft and hard copies to the LEITI process for the fiscal year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Such delinquency is posing a challenge to the timely completion of the 9th LEITI Report for Liberia.” A statement from the Secretariat read
The Multi-stakeholders Steering Group of the LEITI recently mandated that the names of these companies be published in line  with the LEITI Sanction regime, and warns that further punitive actions, including revocation of licenses, will be taken against companies that insist on such non-complaint attitude.  Read more


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LEITI MAKES DATE WITH HISTORY AS GOVERNMENT PLEDGES SUPPORT
July 2, 2017
The Government of Liberia says it remains committed to resource transparency through the workings of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI).
Finance and Development Planning Minister Boima Kamara pledged the government’s full support to the EITI process in Liberia especially when the Country has been given 18 months to make improvements in areas of the standards that Liberia scored less marks during the July 2016 validation.
The Finance Minister extolled the LEITI for remaining focused on ensuring a transparent and accountable natural resource sector amidst the devastating Ebola crisis in the Country.
Minister Kamara made the statement at the opening of a two day retreat of the Multi-stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) held in Monrovia on May 31st to June 1st, 2017. See gallery The retreat was intended to review the 2015 five year strategic plan of the LEITI aiming to realign the strategy with the new EITI standards. Read More

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LEITI REACTS TO RECENT GLOBAL WITNESS REPORT
May 12, 2017

The Multi-Stakeholder Steering Group (MSG) of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) has reacted to a recent Global Witness report alleging illegality of all large contracts in the forestry sector and violation of other laws including the LEITI Act.
The recent Global Witness report on Liberia titled Holding The Line, is built on LEITI’s Beneficial Ownership Disclosure report as well as previous LEITI Reconciliation reports and alleges, among others, the existence of additional names behind the ownership of some forestry companies operating in Liberia which were not disclosed to the LEITI during the preparation of the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure report.
It can be recalled that LEITI released a Beneficial Ownership Report in December 2015 containing the names and particulars of beneficial owners (true owners) or people who have at least five percent shares in companies operating in the mining, oil, forestry and agriculture sectors of Liberia. The Multi-stakeholders Steering Group (MSG) of the LEITI considers these allegations contained in the Global Witness’ report that some companies in the forestry sector have made false declarations about their beneficial owners as serious and grave. Read more

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BETHESDA WINS 2017 E-CLUB DEBATE
The Bethesda Christian Mission School (BCMS) in Paynesville along the Roberts field highway emerged as winners of the 2017 edition of the inter high school debate organized by the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). Read more

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VALUE ADDITION IS KEY TO THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR’
Deputy Minister Zayzay avers

The Deputy Minister for Research and Planning at the Ministry of Internal Affairs is calling on the Liberian government to encourage value addition to extractive resources for the benefit of the people.
Mr. Augustus M. Zayzay says when companies are encouraged to start adding value to the resources locally; more Liberians will be gainfully employed and concession communities will progress. Read more


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HOS CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO PUSH FOR TRANSPARENCY
April 26, 2017
The Head of Secretariat of the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) has challenged students of the Stella Maris Polytechnic-a local tertiary institution to use their intellectual abilities to push for transparency over the management of the Country’s extractive sector.
Speaking to a cross section of students recently at programs marking the dissemination of the abridged contact matrix at that institution, Mr. Konah D. Karmo cautioned the students to use the material to invoke the required advocacies that will further enhance transparency over the management of the country’s natural resources. Read more.


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