๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ As Grand Kru Lawmaker wants Concession Agreement Terminated
June 25, 2025
Monrovia: The Plenary of the Liberian Senate has mandated its joint committee on Judiciary, Agriculture and Forestry, including Concession and Investment to investigate the failure of Atlantic Resources Liberia Limited to fulfill its logging concession obligations in Grand Kru County.
The Senate reached the decision during its 31st day sitting based on a communication submitted to the body by Senator Numene T.H. Bartekwa of Grand Kru County. In his communication to Plenary, Senator Bartekwa raised concerns relative to the continued failure of Atlantic Resources Liberia Limited to fulfill its logging concession obligations in Grand Kru County.
The Senator formally appealed to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate to take appropriate legislative action by terminating the contract agreement between the Government of Liberia (on behalf of the people of Grand Kru County) and the Atlantic Resources Liberia Limited logging company.
In his deliberation, he recounted that the agreement was signed in 2009 to allow the company to engage in commercial logging activities within designated forest areas of Grand Kru County. However, since the agreement was passed, the company has consistently failed to deliver on its commitments he added.
The Grand Kru Lawmaker at the same time highlighted that operations by Atlantic Resources came to a complete standstill as far back as 2016, and since then, the company has abandoned the concession area, resulting in the closure of key access roads.
Senator Bartekwa emphasized that the companyโs prolonged inaction demonstrates a clear lack of interest and a diminished commitment to operate in Grand Kru County.
He further revealed that despite numerous communications, stakeholder engagements, and meetings between county authorities and representatives of the company aimed at urging them to resume operations, all efforts have proven futile. โThe people of Grand Kru County have waited patiently for more than a decade for the promises of this concession to materialize, he stated.
โIf the company is no longer interested in conducting business in our county, then the agreement should be formally cancelled, let other credible and serious investors come in and utilize these resources for the benefit of the people and the country at large.โ He added.
He concluded his appeal by calling on the Senate to act in the interest of the affected population and ensure that concession agreements are not left dormant to the detriment of communities.
Atlantic Resources Liberia Limited has been operating a 25-year concession agreement in sinoe county, Bartekwa who chairs the committee on Concessions at the Liberian Senate, argued that the company has since abandoned its operation site in the county without adequate communication about reasons related to its departure in 2016.
Stressing that the companyโs action is holding hostage developments from its citizens as other benefits outlined in the agreement are not being implemented.
According to the Grand Kru Lawmaker, the action of Atlantic Resources Company to vacate the site without turning it over to the community is hindering the operation of new investors that may have interest in operating the site.
The Concession Agreement between Atlantic Resources and the Government of Liberia was signed in 2009, allowing the company to conduct logging operations in both Grand Kru and Sinoe Counties.
The agreement was a 25-year tenure, eligible for renewal based on consensus from both parties. Upon commencement of operation in 2009, Atlantic vacated Liberia in 2016 about six years in operation.
During its evacuation the company stationed a few workers to monitor and protect the site without further communication on next plan of action.
Senator Bartekwa believes this action of the company to abandon its concession operations in the County demonstrates the unwillingness and diminished interest of the Concession Company to operate in the County.
He informed Plenary that despite many communications and meetings between the Company and the county authorities which were intended to encourage the Company to resume operations has failed
โIn view of the above, I herewith request that the Liberian Senate take a decisive action by terminating the operations of Atlantic Resources Concession in Grand Kru County through de-ratification of its concession in the county, thus giving other interested investors access to the forest in the countyโ, he said.
Following his presentation, the Senate Plenary overwhelmingly agreed that the matter be forwarded to the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Concessions, Investment, and Agriculture.
The Joint Committee is determined to review the status of the Atlantic Resources Concession Agreement, assess the companyโs level of compliance, and investigate the claims of abandonment and report its findings within two weeks.
