By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia — A potentially seismic corruption scandal is unfolding within Liberia’s fuel revenue chain, as startling allegations emerge from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) collectorate at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC). Information reaching People’s News suggests that a long-running scheme—spanning several years and implicating high-profile officials—may have siphoned off hundreds of millions of dollars meant for the Liberian people.
Preliminary findings point to massive, unexplained losses in key fuel-related revenues. In 2025 alone, as much as US$25 million in fuel taxes and US$15 million in road fund levies reportedly cannot be accounted for. The figures raise urgent questions about oversight at one of the country’s most critical revenue points.
At the heart of the alleged scheme is a glaring discrepancy in fuel volume reporting. When importers lift fuel from LPRC’s storage facilities, they reportedly pay storage fees on the full quantity lifted. But upon reaching the LRA, those same importers allegedly declare—and pay customs and road fund levies on—significantly lower volumes.
Sources describe a coordinated racket: for example, an importer lifting 10,000 gallons pays LPRC storage fees on all 10,000 gallons, yet pays LRA customs and road fund levies on just 6,000 gallons. The savings from the undeclared 4,000 gallons are then allegedly split between corrupt collectors and importers—turning public revenue into private gain.
Under standard procedure, there should be no difference between the volume of fuel used to calculate LPRC storage fees and the volume used by LRA to assess customs and road fund charges—currently US$0.40 per gallon for customs revenue and US$0.25 per gallon for road fund levy. Any deviation should be easily reconciled. The fact that it isn’t, sources say, is the red flag.
People News has announced plans to file Freedom of Information (FOI) requests seeking fuel importation and collection data covering the last five years. The outlet says its findings will be forwarded to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for investigation.
While names are being withheld for now, sources insist the alleged scheme “reaches high within the LRA,” suggesting this may be more than the work of rogue collectors.
As public outrage grows and scrutiny intensifies, Liberians are left asking a simple but devastating question: How much of the nation’s fuel money has truly been stolen—and who will be held accountable?
This is a developing story. Stay tuned.
