CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – The Senate’s public hearing on the Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. (HPX) concession, scheduled for Monday, December 9, 2025, was postponed following the absence of Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and Justice Minister Oswald Tweh. Both ministers sent representatives in their stead, including an Assistant Minister and a Deputy Minister, but the Joint Committee ruled that the hearing could not proceed without the direct presence of the ministers themselves.
The hearing, organized by the Senate Joint Committee chaired by Senator Saah H. Joseph, was expected to review the diplomatic and operational coordination between Liberia and Guinea regarding the Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. concession. Officials in attendance included National Investment Commission Chairman Jeff Billbo, Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah, and Transport Minister Sirleaf Tyler. Despite their presence, the committee emphasized that the participation of the Finance and Justice Ministers was essential for the hearing to move forward.
Preparations for the hearing had begun earlier in the week, with the Committee announcing on Saturday, December 6, that it would convene a public session on Monday, December 8, at 12 noon in the Chambers of the Senate. The announcement underscored the importance of reviewing Liberia’s alignment with Guinea on the operational and diplomatic dimensions of the Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc. concession.
The postponement has renewed calls from civil society and industry observers for heightened transparency and engagement between the government and the Senate. Many are advocating for clear reporting mechanisms and regular updates to the public, especially regarding high-profile foreign investment agreements that have the potential to impact Liberia’s economic stability.
With the hearing now rescheduled, attention turns to whether Finance Minister Ngafuan and Justice Minister Tweh will personally appear before the Senate Joint Committee. Stakeholders across the government and private sectors are watching closely, as the outcome of this hearing could shape Liberia’s investment environment and influence future collaborations with neighboring countries such as Guinea.
