By: Andrew B Weah
0770637216/0886429103
IPNEWS: The Plenary of the House of Representatives has voted to pass Amendment No. 3 to the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), describing the decision as being in the supreme interest of the Liberian people and the long-term economic stability of the country.
The passage followed the presentation of a comprehensive report by the Joint Committee on Investment and Concessions; Lands, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources and Environment; and Judiciary. The report was delivered by the Joint Committee Chairman, Hon. Foday E. Fahnbulleh, during the House’s third-day sitting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The Joint Committee’s work was carried out pursuant to Plenary’s mandate and included a public hearing held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Capitol Building in Monrovia. The hearing thoroughly examined the substance of the proposed Third Amendment, its national value, and its alignment with Liberia’s economic, social, and strategic interests.
The public hearing brought together members of the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC), including senior officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, National Investment Commission, and Ministry of Labor. Representatives from each institution provided detailed explanations of their respective roles in negotiating the Third Amendment and outlined the anticipated benefits to the Republic of Liberia.
After more than four hours of deliberations, including closed-door executive session discussions, the Joint Committee concluded that the Third Amendment represents a substantial improvement over the existing Mineral Development Agreement. According to the report, key gains include enhanced government revenue streams, clearer infrastructure ownership provisions, improved employment and Liberian participation, and stronger regulatory enforcement mechanisms.
The Committee further noted that the amendment is the product of prolonged negotiations that began in 2020, following the Legislature’s rejection of an earlier version of the agreement in March 2022. Among its major provisions, the amendment reaffirms Government of Liberia ownership of rail and port infrastructure and introduces Rail System Operating Principles (RSOP) aimed at transitioning the rail corridor to a multi-user system. This move is expected to open access to third-party users while strengthening national control over strategic assets.
The report also highlighted the introduction of stronger enforcement and compliance measures to address long-standing public concerns regarding concessions, environmental protection, and accountability. Lawmakers were informed that the agreement improves Liberia’s economic and strategic positioning while maintaining a balance between investor returns and national interest.
In terms of tangible benefits, the Joint Committee identified several immediate and long-term gains, including a US$200 million signature bonus, a US$5 million annual Community Development Fund, increased mining license fees, and improved royalty payments. The amendment also places strong emphasis on employment and Liberianization, ensuring greater participation of Liberians at professional and management levels.
Additional benefits include expanded education and skills development opportunities through scholarships, vocational training centers, and annual training contributions. Infrastructure modernization is another major component, covering bridge rehabilitation, road paving, rail upgrades, and guaranteed access for third-party rail users. Environmental safeguards were also strengthened, including water-use protections and annual financial contributions to the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation.
In its concluding remarks, the Joint Committee acknowledged that no concession agreement is without imperfections. However, it described the Third Amendment as a balanced, forward-looking, and nationally beneficial instrument that strengthens Liberia’s control over strategic infrastructure and promotes responsible investment.
Following hours of heated debate on the House floor, Plenary endorsed the Joint Committee’s report in its entirety and voted to pass the Third Amendment without reservation.
The approved agreement has now been forwarded to the Liberian Senate for concurrence.
