Africa-Press – Liberia. Bong County District Seven Representative, Foday E. Fahnbulleh, has issued a warning that no train will be allowed to transport iron ore from the Bong Mines concession area if China Union Investment Limited fails to meet its sixty-day commitment to the Government and people of Bong County.
The lawmaker said railway operations will be brought to a complete halt if the concessionaire does not fully comply with its agreed obligations by the February 17, 2026 deadline.
Representative Fahnbulleh, who represents the district in which the China Union concession operates, said the warning is intended to enforce accountability after years of delayed promises, unmet responsibilities, and limited benefits to host communities.
He noted that despite the continuous extraction and export of iron ore, residents of affected communities continue to face high unemployment, poor road conditions, inadequate social services, and persistent safety concerns.
The Bong Mines concession remains one of Liberia’s key mineral extraction hubs, with rail transportation linking Bong County to the Freeport of Monrovia. However, community leaders have consistently complained that the concession has not delivered commensurate benefits to the people living in affected areas.
China Union Investment Limited, along with its partners Bangli Limited and HMR, had acknowledged areas of non-compliance under the Mineral Development Agreement in a letter dated December 17, 2025, addressed to Representative Fahnbulleh in his capacity as Chairman of the House Joint Committee on Concession Compliance Review.
In that correspondence, the company requested a period of forty-five to sixty days to implement a remedial framework. The commitments outlined included commencing rehabilitation and upgrades of the road corridor from Bong Mines to Haindii, recruiting local community members through a qualified human resources firm, developing a cadetship and vocational training program, conducting management assessments of Bong Mines Hospital and Zawetta High School, implementing community lighting projects, and submitting a detailed proposal for the alpha pavement of roads linking Bong Mines and Haindii.
The company further pledged to submit a comprehensive corporate social responsibility program at the conclusion of the sixty-day period.
Representative Fahnbulleh made his latest declaration during Thursday’s legislative session, where he expressed disappointment over what he described as repeated failures by the concessionaire to meet operational timelines and deliver tangible benefits to affected communities.
He said numerous engagements, discussions, and compliance hearings had produced commitments that have yet to result in meaningful improvements on the ground.
He warned that if China Union fails to honor its sixty-day commitment, no train will be permitted to leave the Bong Mines concession site carrying iron ore. He added that there will be no evacuation of resources until all agreed obligations are fully met in accordance with the Mineral Development Agreement.
According to the lawmaker, the decision is intended to safeguard the interests of communities that have long raised concerns about unemployment, deteriorating infrastructure, and safety risks along the railway corridor.
The District Seven Representative emphasized that the people of the district have exercised patience for too long and that partial compliance or repeated requests for extensions will no longer be accepted.
He stressed that concession obligations are legal requirements under Liberian law and not discretionary gestures by concessionaires.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on the same day he issued the warning, Representative Fahnbulleh disclosed that he had held a meeting with the management of China Union and its contracting companies, Bangli and HMR.
He said he made it clear that any meaningful engagement going forward would require a comprehensive performance report documenting progress made on the sixty-day commitments.
He reiterated that his position remains firm and consistent, stressing that anything short of full compliance will not be entertained. He further stated that no additional time will be granted to allow iron ore to be evacuated from Bong Mines until all agreed obligations are satisfactorily met, adding that his stance is rooted in accountability, transparency, and the protection of national and community interests.
Representative Fahnbulleh also raised serious concerns regarding railway safety following reports of an accident involving a China Union train and a local “make-it-red” vehicle along the railway corridor. He said video evidence brought to his attention suggested poor management practices and inadequate safety controls along active rail lines.
He stressed that railway operations must be conducted in strict compliance with established safety regulations, including proper signaling, community sensitization, and effective monitoring of train movements, particularly in areas where railway lines intersect with public roads. He warned that any lapse in safety standards places innocent lives at risk and can lead to preventable tragedies.
Following the incident, the lawmaker called on the Liberia National Police and the Ministry of Transport to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. He said the public deserves transparency, timely updates, and accountability, while any party found negligent must be held responsible under the law.
Representative Fahnbulleh further urged the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Justice to take decisive steps to enforce the concession agreement should China Union fail to comply with its commitments by the February 17 deadline. He warned that failure by authorities to act decisively could lead to heightened tension and possible disruption of operations.
Representative Fahnbulleh concluded by urging China Union to demonstrate good faith by fully honoring its commitments, warning that economic activity cannot continue at the expense of community welfare, public safety, and the national interest.
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