MONROVIA – The Joint Committee of the House of Representatives on Investment and Concessions; Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment; and Judiciary on Tuesday commenced public hearings into the Third Amendment of the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with members of the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC).
The hearing brought together key government institutions that form part of the IMCC. The Ministry of Justice was represented by Cllr. Charles D. F. Karmo II, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs. The Ministry of Mines and Energy was represented by its Minister, Hon. R. Matenokay Tingbah, along with Assistant Minister Williams S. Hines. The National Investment Commission (NIC) was represented by Mr. Melvin Sheriff.
Also present were representatives of the Ministry of Labor, Mr. Stanley Banh, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, represented by Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs, Mr. Anthony Myers.
The hearing presided over by the Joint Committee Chairman, Hon. Foday Fahnbulleh, saw lawmakers raise several questions and concerns regarding the operations of ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
Members of the House sought clarity on aspects of the companyโs performance under previous MDAs, particularly commitments that lawmakers said were made but allegedly not fully implemented in affected communities.
Lawmakers emphasized the importance of accountability, community impact, and adherence to concession obligations as key considerations in their review of the Third Amendment.
The hearing, which lasted several hours, was subsequently adjourned. Chairman Fahnbulleh informed participants that the Joint Committee would reconvene in committee rooms for further hearings and deliberations before making a determination and reporting to plenary.
