𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮–𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The House of Representatives’ plenary has directed its Committees on Investment & Concession, Judiciary, and Transport to review and verify compliance with the Liberia–Guinea Implementation Agreement with regard to the recently concluded Concession and Access Agreement (CAA) between the Government of Liberia and Ivanhoe Liberia (HPX/SMFG).

The Sinoe County Electoral District #3 Representative, Hon. Alex S. Noah, provided a communication highlighting the necessity for parliamentary inspection to make sure that all institutional and procedural measures were properly followed before the agreement was signed. This letter served as the basis for the plenary’s decision.

COMMUNICATION FROM HON. NOAH:

RE: Request for Committee Review and Verification of Compliance with the Liberia-Guinea
Implementation Agreement in Connection with the Concession and Access Agreement (CAA)
Hon. Speaker:
Please accept my highest compliments and respect.
I bring to your attention the recently executed Concession and Access Agreement (CAA) between
the Government of Liberia and Ivanhoe Liberia (HPX/SMFG), which has been laid before this
Honorable House for ratification.
The Implementation Agreement (LA) signed on October 21, 2019 between Liberia and Guinea
and ratified May 2021 governs the framework for cross-border use of rail and port infrastructure.
Under Articles 5.1 to 5.8, Requests for Access must be jointly reviewed by the Monitoring and
Inter Ministerial Commitices, whose Appraisal guides Liberia’s decision. Article 5.4 then obligates
Liberia to decide within thirty (30) business days (or ninety (90) days where works are involved),
and if delayed, to inform the Monitoring Committee to reach a new consensus timeline.
Furthermore, Articles 9.2.3-9.2.5 mandate that the Monitoring Committee reports to the Inter-
Ministerial Committee, which after analysis and approval transmits its recommendations to both
Governments; cach Party must then enforce proposals endorsed by both Parties

Given these treaty requirements, it is essential that this House verifies whether the institutional
and procedural steps were followed prior to signing the CAA. To that end, I respectfully request
that you instruct the relevant Committeesnotably the Committee on Lands, Mines &
Energy, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee of Transportation, and the
Committee on Judiciary to:

1. Obtain documentary proof that the Monitoring Committee and Inter-Ministerial
   Committee were duly constituted as per the Implementation Agreement;
2. Verify whether these committees were engaged in the review and Appraisal of the
   Request for Access as required by the IA;
3. Examine whether there has been any engagement or communication between the t
   countries leading the consummation of this Access Agreement; and
4. Report their findings to Plenary before any ratification decision is taken.
   This step will help the Legislature protect Liberia’s credibility, avoid diplomatic missteps, and
   ensure full compliance with the Implementation Agreement signed between our two nations.

With highest regard,
Hon. Alex S. Noah
Representative District #3, Sinoe County

The House’s move is intended to safeguard Liberia’s credibility, guarantee complete adherence to the Liberia–Guinea Implementation Agreement, and avert any possible procedural or diplomatic violations.

Photo credit:n HOR