By Fiona Benson
China Union contract violation has again claimed lawmakers’ attentions.
As such, the House, through its Committee on Investment and Concessions, has summoned key government institutions and concessionaires to appear before the Committee to discuss China Union compliance as regards to it Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).
The Committee is chaired by Bong County District #7 Representative Foday E. Fahnbulle.
Those invited are the ministers of Labor, Mines and Energy, and the Chief Executive Officer of China Union Liberia.
The invite, according to a release, is as part of the Committee’s ongoing review of the company’s compliance with its MDA.
During the hearing, the committee formally requested that the invited entities submit a comprehensive matrix detailing, not limited to, all Chinese nationals authorized by the Ministry of Labor to work in the employed of China Union Liberia.
This includes the specific contracting companies involved; the exact positions occupied by each foreign employee, and any additional information relevant to the Committee review of the company’s compliance with its MDA obligations.
Fahnbulleh named transparency and accountability as ‘non-negotiable’ in the concession operations, especially where host communities continue to suffer.
“We are in the capital city making laws, while our people in the concession areas are suffering. Communities continue to face severe challenges; no clean drinking water; no electricity; damaged water pumps, yet truckloads of iron ore are moving daily without proper information being provide,” said Fahnbulleh.
He further warned that when lawmakers fail to explain concession activities to their constituents, it creates confusion, frustration, and distrust in representation.
Rep Fahnbulleh also highlighted environmental and social concerns, including contaminated water sources, damaged community infrastructure, and the lack of visible corporate social responsibility from concessionaires.
“Our people see iron ore leaving their land, while their lives remain unchanged. They begin to question why their representatives are silent. We must be lawful leaders, but we must also revisit the MDA, review the obligations of defaulting companies, and clearly define implementation moving forward.”
The Committee further announced that the upcoming hearings would also examine labor compliance, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and the overall impact of China Union’s operations on affected communities.