The Joint Committee on Compliance and Concessions Review of the House of Representatives (HoR) has issued a contempt citation against ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML).
In the communication, the Committee said failure on the company to appear at a scheduled legislative hearing on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 2: p.m. a legal action will be taken against the management.
The company is also requested to come with her legal representation.
The hearing, which convened in collaboration with the Inter-Ministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC), was intended for AML to provide a comprehensive compliance update and submit all relevant documentations in support of its operations and adherence to existing concession agreements.
While the company reportedly submitted documents, its representatives failed to appear, prompting a motion by Anthony F. Williams, a member of the Committee, requesting that ArcelorMittal be summoned to appear next Tuesday with her legal counsel to show cause why it should not be held in contempt of the Legislature, pursuant to Article 44 of the Liberian Constitution.
The Chair of the Joint Committee, Foday E. Fahnbulleh, issued a stern warning to all concessionaires operating in the country, adding 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 country that benefits all its citizens through the proper management of our natural resources,” Fahnbulleh stated.
The review process is intended to assess compliance, promotes accountability, and uphold transparency.
“What we observed on the part of AML was a glaring absence of the company’s representation at a hearing designed to evaluate its 20 years of operations in the country.”
The contempt proceedings against AML underscored the House’s commitment to ensuring greater oversight, compliance, and public trust in all concession agreements.