By Ethel A Tweh
The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has constituted a specialized committee to visit the operational areas of ArcelorMittal Liberia on fact findings.
The six-man committee includes the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Executive Saah H. Joseph, Sen. Jeremiah Koung, Sen. Abraham Darius Dillon, Sen. Jonathan Boycharles Sogbe of Rivergee County, Sen. Augustine Chea of Sinoe County, and Sen. Boto Kanneh of Gbarpolu County.
The decision of Plenary to constitute a specialized committee was based on invitation by the submission of an Arcelormettal deal for an extension to the Senate on Thursday, November 25, 2021, for amendment by the Chief Executive, President George M. Weah.
The Mineral Development Agreement was forwarded to the Senate Joint Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy and Natural Resources, Concession, and Investment, Ways, Means, Finance and Budget as well as the Judiciary with a mandate to review and scrutinize the proposed agreement for further actions.
The specialized committee is mandated by Plenary to visit the operational areas of the world steel giant to ascertain the impact of the Company’s operations on the affected residents and communities.
Therefore, the assessment will put members of the Senate in the position to make an informed decision, especially the proposed amendment before the August Body.
The company currently operates in Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong counties respectively. The three affected counties receive an annual amount of US$3 million, with Nimba receiving an amount of US$1.5 million, Grand Bassa US$ 1million, and Bong US$ 500,000.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
At the same time, the company 2016 signed a 25 years Mineral Development Agreement with the Government of Liberia for an extension. The company recently negotiated with the Executive for an extension of the deal amounting to US$800 million, which is currently before the Legislature for action.
The Committee on Lands, Mines, Energy and Natural Resources, Concession, Ways, Means, Finance and Budget as well as Judiciary, were mandated by Plenary to review the proposed agreement for ratification.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/media-organizations-call-on-government-to-disclose-arcelormittals-revised-agreement/ Editing by Jonathan Browne
