By By: The People News
Monrovia, Liberia –The National Oil Company of Liberia is facing mounting scrutiny after an April 27, 2026 capacity-building workshop for judges on petroleum law triggered conflicting cost claims and questions about value for money.
NOCAL’s president Fabian Michael Lai put the price tag at $16,000 for the one-day event when he spoke to The People News. But sources within the entity allege the actual expenditure topped $60,000 — a figure they say is unprecedented for a single-day training with no clear policy precedent.
Critics argue the workshop delivered little substance. “There were no international experts, only local judges,” one insider claimed, calling the session a “non-substantial activity” and alleging the training was used as a “cover to chop thousands” from state coffers.
The event has also sparked a broader debate about NOCAL’s mandate. “In fact, how can NOCAL be hosting training for judges? Is that their role, or justification for stealing?” one critic asked, questioning whether the state oil company has any business running judicial trainings.
The backlash has revived questions about leadership at NOCAL. Some industry observers, speaking anonymously, contend the current NOCAL president “lacks the capacity to run such a vibrant entity” and was appointed due to personal ties with the president, whom they say is a fellow member of Effort Baptist Church.
NOCAL has not publicly released a detailed breakdown of the training costs. The conflicting figures — $16K versus $60K — the absence of disclosed experts, and now questions about the institution’s legal role in training the judiciary have intensified calls for transparency.
This is not the first time NOCAL’s spending has raised eyebrows. But a single-day workshop with disputed costs, questioned outcomes, and mandate concerns has sharpened demands for the entity to publish itemized expenditures and clarify its statutory authority to conduct judicial trainings.
The allegations remain unverified. NOCAL had not issued a detailed response to the cost discrepancies, mandate questions, and leadership claims at press time.
