-Plans Sites Visitations for First Hand Accounts
By Fiona Benson Kollie
The Joint Committee on Investment and Concession, Concession Review, Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment has resolved to conduct a site visit to concession areas associated with the implementation of the Multi-User Framework Agreement.
The decision followed a day-long hearing involving officials of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ArcelorMittal Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic, the Ministry of Transport and the Liberia National Railroad Authority.
The hearing was convened to assess progress surrounding the implementation of the Multi-User Framework Agreement and related obligations under recently ratified concession arrangements.
During the hearing, Deputy Minister for Operations at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, William S. Hines, outlined government efforts to advance a multi-user rail system under agreements involving ArcelorMittal Liberia and Ivanhoe Atlantic.
According to Deputy Minister Hines, the framework is intended to promote competition, increase investment opportunities, enhance infrastructure utilization and generate additional revenues for the Government of Liberia.
He informed lawmakers that government institutions have remained engaged with both companies in resolving issues relating to the designation and approval of land required for stockpiling, loading and unloading operations.
The Deputy Minister further disclosed that the Ministry had recently received a social infrastructure plan submitted under the concession arrangement and had commenced its review.
Providing testimony on behalf of Ivanhoe Atlantic, Chief Operating Officer Kevin McLean told lawmakers that delays associated with land approvals and location adjustments continue to affect project implementation.
McLean explained that Ivanhoe has submitted alternative locations for consideration and remains committed to working with government and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding technical issues.
He emphasized that timely resolution of matters relating to land access and rail infrastructure remains critical to advancing the company’s planned investments in Liberia.
Representing ArcelorMittal Liberia, Head of External Relations and Sustainability, Marcus S. Wleh, informed lawmakers that the company remains actively engaged in discussions surrounding the implementation of the Multi-User Framework Agreement.
Wleh indicated that ArcelorMittal had reviewed the location initially proposed for Ivanhoe’s stockpiling and loading operations and subsequently raised concerns regarding its suitability.
According to discussions during the hearing, the company considered the proposed site to be too close to ongoing expansion activities and therefore recommended an alternative location.
ArcelorMittal further assured the Joint Committee of its willingness to continue working with government institutions and other stakeholders toward resolving outstanding issues affecting implementation of the agreement.
Representatives of the Liberia National Railroad Authority also briefed the committee on progress toward establishing the Authority and ongoing consultations with key stakeholders in the rail sector.
Members of the Joint Committee subsequently subjected representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, ArcelorMittal Liberia and Ivanhoe Atlantic to a series of questions aimed at clarifying concerns surrounding rail access, land designation and project implementation.
Following testimony from the witnesses and extensive questioning by lawmakers, Representative Jeremiah Sokan, Chairman of the House Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment, moved that the Joint Committee undertake a field assessment.
Rep. Sokan proposed that members visit the concession areas to obtain technical briefings, inspect the locations.
