House Joint Committees Begin Scrutiny of ArcelorMittal Third Amendment, Signals Tough Oversight

MONROVIA, LIBERIA: The House of Representatives has formally commenced scrutiny of the proposed Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Liberia Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), with lawmakers signaling a firm oversight posture centered on accountability, performance compliance, and the protection of community and national interests.

The public hearing, held on Monday at the Capitol Building, was conducted by a Joint Committee comprising the Committees on Investment and Concessions; Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment; and Judiciary. 

Officials of the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC) were summoned to provide explanations on the scope of the proposed amendment and address concerns surrounding ArcelorMittal Liberia’s obligations under previous agreements.

Presiding over the session, Chairman of the Joint Committees, Representative Foday Fahnbulleh, emphasized that the Legislature would not approach the amendment as a routine endorsement. 

He told the hearing that lawmakers are duty-bound to ensure that commitments already contained in existing MDAs are honored before any contractual adjustments are considered.

According to Representative Fahnbulleh, transparency and accountability must guide the review process, particularly given the scale of the concession and its long-term implications for Liberia’s development.

During the hearing, several lawmakers questioned whether benefits promised to host communities under earlier agreements have been fully delivered.

Members of the Committee on Mines and Energy raised issues relating to infrastructure development and social services, noting persistent concerns from constituents over delayed or unmet commitments, including roads, schools, and health facilities.

Providing legal and regulatory context on behalf of the ministries, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Charles D. F. Karmo II, said the Executive branch supports robust legislative oversight of concession agreements.

He explained that the Ministry of Justice is prepared to offer legal clarity to assist lawmakers in determining whether the proposed amendment aligns with Liberia’s laws and investment framework, adding that questions raised by legislators are essential to strengthening governance in the concessions sector.

Other IMCC officials present at the hearing included Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon. R. Matenokay Tingbah; Assistant Minister Williams S. Hines; Mr. Melvin Sheriff of the National Investment Commission; Mr. Stanley Banh of the Ministry of Labor; and Mr. Anthony Myers, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

The officials responded to questions from lawmakers regarding sectoral responsibilities, regulatory oversight, and the government’s role in monitoring concession compliance.

The proposed Third Amendment seeks to revise specific provisions of the ArcelorMittal Liberia MDA, a move that has attracted heightened public attention due to the company’s extensive mining operations and their socio-economic impact on affected communities.

Lawmakers indicated that their review would focus not only on the technical aspects of the amendment but also on its broader implications for national revenue, environmental management, and community development.

After several hours of engagement, the hearing was adjourned. Chairman Fahnbulleh informed the session that the Joint Committees would continue deliberations at the committee-room level before compiling a report and submitting recommendations to the House plenary. 

He reiterated that the process would be thorough and guided by the Legislature’s responsibility to safeguard the interests of the Liberian people.