MONROVIA — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., on Monday, October 26, 2026, dedicated a modern petroleum product testing laboratory and a 12,800-metric-ton petroleum storage tank at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) facility on Bushrod Island. During the event, the Liberian Leader also officially broke ground for a landmark US$35 million expansion and modernization project aimed at upgrading the company’s product storage terminal.
The multi-million-dollar investment reflects the Government of Liberia’s determination to rebuild national infrastructure and secure a reliable energy supply amid recurring global supply disruptions and market volatility. The new facility underscores LPRC’s commitment to modernizing its operational framework, enhancing quality control, and significantly expanding national petroleum reserves to support emergency preparedness and stimulate local business growth.
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, President Boakai emphasized that these strategic investments will strengthen national energy security, elevate petroleum quality assurance, and shield the domestic economy from international price shocks. He noted that key economic sectors—including transportation, agriculture, utilities, mining, and public service delivery—rely entirely on a stable, uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.
The President detailed that the US$35 million expansion project will inject an additional 50,000 metric tons into the country’s commercial petroleum storage capacity. The upgraded terminal will feature advanced automated management systems, upgraded structural infrastructure, and modern environmental and safety measures. Additionally, the project will introduce Liberia’s first petroleum marine back-loading capability, enabling the transfer of products onto vessels for coastal and regional distribution, alongside coastal defense systems and land reclamation works to protect vital state assets.
According to President Boakai, LPRC’s share of national petroleum storage capacity is projected to double, rising from roughly 25 percent at the beginning of his administration to approximately 50 percent upon completion of the expansion. He highlighted that the marine back-loading facility positions Liberia to become a strategic hub for regional petroleum distribution along the West African coast, while simultaneously generating local jobs and technical skill development for Liberians.
President Boakai called on the LPRC Board of Directors and executive management to maintain the newly dedicated facilities and execute the upcoming expansion with strict financial discipline, technical excellence, environmental compliance, and operational integrity. He reiterated that public institutions must deliver measurable economic value, improved energy security, and tangible benefits for the Liberian people.
In closing, the Liberian Leader commended LPRC Board Chairman Aaron Weah, Managing Director Amos B. T. Tweh, members of the Board, and the workforce for their dedication to national progress. He also urged LUTEC Engineering, the contractor handling the expansion, to adhere strictly to high professional standards and timely project delivery, while expressing appreciation to the National Legislature and key development partners for their continued support.