Monrovia, Liberia — Prolonged government delays in finalizing a critical multi-user rail access agreement with High Power Exploration (HPX) are putting millions of dollars in investments at risk, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The delays, attributed to the lack of formal negotiations by the Interministerial Concessions Committee (IMCC), are hindering crucial infrastructure projects and potentially diverting significant economic opportunities away from Liberia.
HPX, a US based corporation, submitted a draft Access and Concession Agreement to the Government seeking to confirm its access rights to Liberia’s rail and port infrastructure from Yekepa to Buchanan. Despite the straightforward nature of the agreement, the Government has failed to progress any discussions with HPX.
This inaction has led to a stalemate, with HPX warning that it may be forced to consider alternative export routes through Guinea. Such a move would result in Liberia losing HPX as a cornerstone user of the existing rail and port infrastructure and, consequently, the planned Liberty Corridor—an economic development project with significant implications for the region.
HPX has emphasized the urgent need for the Liberian government to finalize the rail access agreement and extend Executive Order 112, which would establish the National Rail Authority (NRA). Despite President Boakai’s stated commitment to the NRA, there has been little progress on this front. HPX has even offered financial support to assist in launching the NRA, highlighting the regulatory body’s critical role in governing multi-user infrastructure access.
The delays have also drawn criticism from the Guinean government, which has formally requested HPX to join the Trans Guinean Rail (TGR) project for exporting iron ore. The Guinean Ministry of Mines and Geology has made it clear that it no longer supports exporting iron ore through Liberia due to the ongoing delays, further complicating Liberia’s position.
HPX is urging immediate government action to finalize the rail access agreement and confirm the establishment of the NRA. Failure to do so, the company warns, could severely jeopardize Liberia’s role in the export of iron ore and the overall development of the Liberty Corridor.
With time running out, the stakes have never been higher for Liberia to secure its economic future by swiftly finalizing these critical infrastructure agreements.