Aminata & Sons Corporation, one of Liberia’s biggest petroleum trading companies, is again facing public scrutiny as its Sierra Leone subsidiary awaits approval of a major concession agreement in Parliament.
The agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Aminata & Sons (SL) Limited has triggered debate among policymakers, business leaders, and civil society groups, with many raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
At the center of the discussion is the company’s past record in Liberia, where it has been linked to several investigations and audit reports over the years.
One of the most notable cases dates back to 2011, when the Government of Japan donated petroleum products worth about 13 million US dollars to Liberia. The fuel was meant to help stabilize prices and support development.
Reports from Liberia say the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company awarded Aminata & Sons a contract to market and distribute about 15,000 metric tons of the donated fuel. However, the decision was widely questioned after claims that the contract was given without competitive bidding.
Later audits by Liberia’s General Auditing Commission raised concerns about how the fuel was sold and how the money was handled. The audit questioned whether all proceeds were properly paid into government accounts as required.
The issue attracted further investigation by the Liberia Revenue Authority, focusing on possible tax discrepancies. The case, widely known as the “Delta Volume Report,” drew national attention.
Liberia’s Anti-Corruption Commission later launched its own investigation, leading to criminal indictments against several individuals, including former officials and company executives. At the time, prosecutors sought to recover over 5.7 million US dollars believed to be missing from the transactions.
Although the case sparked major public debate, it remains one of the most cited examples in discussions about accountability in Liberia’s oil sector.
Now, the company is again in the spotlight in Sierra Leone.
The proposed agreement involves the rehabilitation and operation of petroleum storage facilities at the Kissy Oil Terminal. It includes several incentives such as tax exemptions, GST waivers, and deferred tax payments aimed at supporting investment.
Supporters say the deal could improve fuel storage, boost energy security, and attract investment into the sector.
But critics argue that the incentives may be too generous. Reports suggest the total value of tax breaks and concessions could reach about 33 million US dollars over the life of the project.
Some stakeholders are now calling for full disclosure of how the deal was negotiated and what benefits Sierra Leone will gain in return.
Others are also questioning whether the government properly reviewed the company’s past record before entering into the agreement.
As the deal moves closer to parliamentary approval, many are urging lawmakers to carry out thorough scrutiny.
For observers, the issue is bigger than one company. They say it highlights wider concerns about governance, transparency, and how national resources are managed.
With Parliament set to consider the agreement, public attention remains fixed on whether the government will address these concerns before making a final decision.
