House Cites Arcelor Mittal Under Contempt Charge, Orders To Appear With Legal Counsel
July 1, 2025
Monrovia: The Joint Committee on Compliance and Concessions Review of the House of Representatives has issued a contempt citation against ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), citing the company’s failure to appear at a scheduled legislative hearing on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM.
The hearing, convened in collaboration with the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC), was intended for AML to provide a comprehensive compliance update and submit all relevant documentation in support of its operations and adherence to existing concession agreements.
While the company reportedly submitted documentation, its representatives failed to appear, prompting a motion by Hon. Anthony F. Williams, a member of the Committee, requesting that ArcelorMittal be summoned to appear next Tuesday with legal counsel to show cause why it should not be held in contempt of the Legislature, pursuant to Article 44 of the Liberian Constitution.
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.”
The contempt proceedings against ArcelorMittal Liberia underscore the House’s commitment to ensuring greater oversight, compliance, and public trust in all concession agreements
AML was invited in June to present a comprehensive financial report covering its operations in Liberia for the past five years. Organized in close collaboration with the Committees on Lands Mines Energy Natural Resources and Environment, and Labor, the hearing was focus on AML’s compliance with its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
The invitation came as a result of growing public and legislative interest in ensuring transparency, accountability, and equitable benefit-sharing in concession operations across the country.
