NATIONAL NEWS
CAPITOL HILL – Senator Amara Konneh of Gbarpolu County, has publicly announced his support for the Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal Liberia Mineral Development Agreement (MDA), emphasizing that the decision prioritizes the welfare of ordinary Liberians.
“Today, I voted ‘YES’ for the Third Amendment, prioritizing ordinary Liberians,” Senator Konneh said. “While not perfect, it represents a significant improvement that offers meaningful opportunities if appropriately implemented.”
By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The Ex-Finance Minister highlighted that Liberians should actively ensure the deal delivers on social contributions, community infrastructure, and educational advancement, particularly in technical fields, in line with the country’s 15 percent equity stake.
He stressed that residents of Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties should expect visible development in areas such as roads, healthcare, and housing.
“The core of this deal is local content and Liberian enterprise,” Konneh said, noting a six-month deadline to establish a framework that will boost local participation. “This can help address ‘bread-and-butter’ issues by driving national wealth and creating a strong middle class through goods and services, not just royalties. Small and medium enterprises can compete in security, logistics, catering, and more if processes are fair and capacity-building is prioritized.”
The Senator also underscored the agreement’s focus on Liberian leadership in management, with an aim to place Liberians in senior roles within a year and progressively into high-level management positions. Achieving this, he said, requires training, transparency, and consistent reporting.
Konneh concluded that his support reflects a commitment to disciplined implementation and strong local content measures.
“I voted ‘YES’ for disciplined implementation, stronger community outcomes, and swift local content action to put money in Liberians’ pockets to position them to address their ‘bread and butter’ challenges,” he stated.
The Third Amendment to the ArcelorMittal MDA is seen by lawmakers and stakeholders as a potential catalyst for increased local participation and economic benefits, contingent on diligent implementation and community-focused execution.
