MONROVIA, LIBERIA — NOVEMBER 4, 2026: Stakeholders from the mining sector, railway users, Environmentalists, and the Civil Society Consortium of Liberia have concluded the final validation of the Draft Liberia National Railway Authority (LNRA) Act of 2026, marking a significant step toward establishing a national institution to regulate and oversee multi-user access to Liberia’s railway transportation infrastructure.
The validation exercise was held at the Central Office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Monrovia, bringing together key government officials, mining companies, railway operators, development partners, legal experts, and other stakeholders to review and finalize the proposed legal instrument.
Prominent among those in attendance were current railway user ArcelorMittal Liberia, its counterpart Ivanhoe Atlantic (HPX), representatives of the Liberia Chamber of Mines, technicians from the Bureau of Mines of the Ministry of Mines and Energy headed by Assistant Minister for Mines, Hon. Sumo S. Momolu, and other sector stakeholders.
Providing an overview of the process leading to the establishment of the proposed Authority, the Officer-in-Charge of the National Railway Authority, Ignatius S. Neepaye, explained that the 2026 Act is intended to provide the necessary legal foundation for transitioning the institution into full establishment.
Mr. Neepaye noted that the proposed legislation seeks to clearly define the operational structure, administrative framework, and regulatory responsibilities of the LNRA, particularly in ensuring equitable and transparent multi-user access to Liberia's railway transportation facilities.
He called on participants to approach the exercise with open minds and provide constructive contributions to the final Draft, emphasizing the importance of producing a fully validated legal instrument ready for submission to the Office of the President of Liberia, H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., for onward transmission to the Legislature for enactment into law.
In separate remarks, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, through its Minister and mining sector lead, Hon. R. Matenokay Tingban, welcomed the proposed transition toward multi-user access to the country's railway transportation facilities.
Minister Tingban called for a responsible and deliberate approach to validating the final document, stressing that stakeholders must be intentional about putting in place a sound regulatory framework that positions Liberia as a competitive and sought-after destination for responsible mineral investment globally.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the proposed institution is established on a solid legal and administrative foundation capable of accommodating the interests of different railway users while supporting the country's broader mining and economic development objectives.
For his part, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Reform Commission of Liberia, Cllr. Bonor Varmah, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in developing a legal framework that goes beyond establishing an institution in name.
Cllr. Varmah stressed that the proposed LNRA Act must provide meaningful protections for all stakeholders and safeguard the interests of the country. He assured participants that the Law Reform Commission remains a reliable government institution prepared to provide the necessary legal guidance and technical support throughout the validation process and subsequent stages leading to the enactment of the instrument into law.
The LRC Chairman also made a technical presentation, alongside the LNRA, to guide stakeholders through key provisions and considerations contained in the proposed legislation.
The presentations were followed by plenary discussions, during which participants examined outstanding issues, sought clarification on relevant provisions, and reached agreements on proposed amendments to the Draft Act.
Additional remarks were delivered by representatives of the United States Embassy near Monrovia, ArcelorMittal Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic, and the Minister of Transport, Ralph Sirleaf Tyler, among other distinguished participants.
The final validation exercise provided an important platform for stakeholders to contribute to shaping the legal and institutional framework that will govern access to and utilization of Liberia's railway transportation infrastructure.
Upon completion of the validation process, the proposed legal instrument will undergo further processing before submission to the Office of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. It is expected that the instrument will subsequently be transformed into a Bill and transmitted to the National Legislature for consideration and enactment into law.
When enacted, the Liberia National Railway Authority Act of 2026 will establish the LNRA as the institution responsible for regulating multi-user access to Liberia's railway transportation facilities, providing a framework intended to support transparency, accountability, fair access, and the sustainable development of the country's railway sector.
MINISTRY OF MINES AND ENERGY-LIBERIA PUBLIC RELATIONS
For additional informational about the Ministry, visit our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573832151952
PR Unit Contact: +231770902967