By: David S. Johnson – Staff Reporter | TPA News Desk | Monrovia

The Liberian House of Representatives’ Joint Committee on Compliance and Concessions Review today issued a forceful contempt citation against mining giant ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) after the company’s representatives conspicuously failed to appear for a crucial legislative hearing on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The unannounced absence immediately fueled speculation that AML was dodging tough questions about its operational compliance, worker welfare, and adherence to its vast concession agreement.

The hearing, convened at 2:00 PM in collaboration with the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC), was intended for AML to provide a comprehensive compliance update and submit all relevant documentation supporting its two decades of operations and fidelity to existing concession agreements.

However, despite submitting some documentation, no AML representatives were present. This prompted a swift motion by Hon. Anthony F. Williams, a member of the Committee, demanding that ArcelorMittal be summoned to appear next Tuesday with legal counsel. The company must then show cause why it should not be held in contempt of the Legislature, pursuant to Article 44 of the Liberian Constitution, which grants the Legislature the power to punish for contempt.

The legislative scrutiny comes amid long-standing and escalating concerns surrounding AML’s performance in Liberia. Lawmakers were poised to grill the company on a range of contentious issues, including allegations of unfulfilled commitments regarding workers’ welfare, particularly accusations of labor exploitation, unequal pay between foreign and local staff, and inadequate living conditions for Liberian employees in company housing.

Furthermore, the committee aimed to rigorously assess AML’s financial adherence to its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), especially the government’s 30% share in the concession and demands for a comprehensive five-year financial report. Critics have persistently raised questions about the transparency of financial reporting, alleging potential profit under-declaration and insufficient revenue contributions to the national budget.

Lawmakers also sought answers on the company’s progress in meeting its concessional demands and requirements for community development and infrastructure within its operational areas, specifically the pavement of vital roads and the completion of promised social amenities. Growing public frustration and persistent accusations of AML failing to create sufficient local jobs or invest adequately in affected communities have intensified the legislative push for accountability.

Chairman of the Joint Committee, Hon. Foday E. Fahnbulleh, issued a stern warning to all concessionaires operating within Liberia, emphasizing that the Committee will not tolerate actions that undermine the authority or integrity of the Legislature. “We believe that working in close collaboration with all partners and stakeholders in the concession sector is vital to promoting a Liberia that benefits all its citizens through the proper management of our natural resources,” Hon. Fahnbulleh stated. “This review process is intended to assess compliance, promote accountability, and uphold transparency. However, what we observed today was a glaring absence of AML representation at a hearing designed to evaluate its 20 years of operations in the country.”