MONROVIA – The House of Representatives has launched a review of the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Liberian government and Hamburg Mineral Resources (HMR) amid allegations that the company has failed to pay over $1.4 million in Social Development Funds (SDF) owed to Sinoe County.
The scrutiny follows a formal petition by Sinoe County District #1 Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh, who has called on the Legislature to demand accountability for the unpaid funds. Rep. Quioh urged his colleagues to summon key government agencies, including the Ministries of Justice, Finance and Development Planning, and Mines and Energy, as well as the National Investment Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, to provide updates on the agreement’s status.
According to Rep. Quioh, HMR was granted an exploration permit in 2011, under which it was obligated to contribute $100,000 annually to the SDF via the consolidated account at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. However, he contended that the company has failed to make any payments since the agreement was signed, accumulating a debt of $1.4 million.
“For nearly 14 years, not a single cent has been paid into the SDF. The people of Sinoe County have been denied the benefits they were promised under this agreement,” Rep. Quioh declared, stressing that the failure to honor the terms of the MDA has deprived local communities of much-needed development projects.
He further decried the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement and questioned the government’s enforcement of its own contractual obligations. Beyond the financial concerns, he warned that the prolonged non-compliance could have serious economic and environmental ramifications for the concession area.
“The Legislature must be furnished with a detailed update on this agreement, including its financial contributions to the country, adherence to environmental and legal standards, challenges impeding its execution, and the overall impact on affected communities,” he asserted.
Rep. Quioh expressed confidence that under Speaker Koon’s leadership, the House would take decisive action to ensure compliance and accountability from HMR.
In response to the petition, the House Plenary has assigned the matter to the Committees on Investment & Concessions, Mines, Energy, Natural Resources & Environment, and Judiciary for a thorough review. The committees have been instructed to present their findings within two weeks.
