By: Melvin Flomo
The future of the Hummingbird concession agreement is now under renewed scrutiny at the Liberian Senate, following a formal request by Grand Kru County Senator Numene T. H. Bartekwa calling for its de-ratification over what he describes as years of inactivity.
Raising the issue before the Senate Plenary, Senator Bartekwa expressed deep concern that the concession, despite being duly ratified by the Legislature, has produced no visible development, investment, or employment opportunities for the people of Grand Kru County.
The senator argued that the company has failed to demonstrate both the financial and technical capacity required to operate under a Mineral Development Agreement, noting that no meaningful steps have been taken to commence operations since approval was granted.
According to Bartekwa, the prolonged dormancy of the concession has translated into lost opportunities for citizens who had anticipated jobs, infrastructure, and community benefits commonly associated with extractive agreements.
He further disclosed that the existence of the idle concession has discouraged potential investors from entering the county, as authorities reportedly decline new applications on the basis that the concession area has already been allocated to Hummingbird.
“This is not just about non-performance; it is about denying an entire county the chance to grow,” the senator emphasized, warning that continued inaction could deepen poverty and economic stagnation in Grand Kru.
Senator Bartekwa stressed that Liberia’s concession system must prioritize companies that are prepared to deliver tangible results, adding that holding onto non-performing agreements undermines public trust in the country’s investment framework.
Following deliberations, the Senate Plenary forwarded the matter to its Committee on Judiciary for thorough review, setting the stage for a possible revocation as lawmakers weigh the legal and economic implications of maintaining the concession.
The committee’s findings are expected to guide the Senate’s final decision on whether the Hummingbird agreement should be scrapped to make way for more credible investors capable of advancing development in Grand Kru County.
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