Stakeholders Validate Draft LNRA Act

By Amos Harris

Stakeholders from across Liberia’s mining sector, railway operations, environmental groups, and civil society have concluded the final validation of the Draft Liberia National Railway Authority (LNRA) Act of 2026. The validation marks a major milestone toward establishing a centralized regulatory institution to oversee the country’s railway infrastructure.

The exercise took place on Wednesday, November 4, at the Central Office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Monrovia. The event gathered government officials, mining executives, railway operators, international development partners, and legal experts. Among those present were representatives from ArcelorMittal Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic (HPX), the Liberia Chamber of Mines, technicians from the Bureau of Mines, and Assistant Minister for Mines Sumo S. Momolu.

Speaking at the gathering, the Officer-in-Charge of the National Railway Authority, Ignatius S. Neepaye, explained that the proposed 2026 Act provides the legal foundation required for the full operationalization of the authority. He noted that the legislation clearly defines the LNRA’s administrative framework, operational structure, and regulatory powers—particularly regarding the enforcement of fair, transparent multi-user access to the national rail network. Neepaye urged attendees to provide constructive feedback to ensure the final document is robust before its submission to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for transmission to the National Legislature.

Mines and Energy Minister R. Matenokay Tingban welcomed the strategic shift toward multi-user railway access, emphasizing the necessity of a deliberate regulatory framework that boosts Liberia’s global competitiveness in responsible mineral development. Minister Tingban stressed that the new authority must rest on a firm legal ground capable of balancing the operational needs of diverse commercial users with overarching national economic priorities.

Adding a legal perspective, Cllr. Boakai Varmah, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Law Reform Commission, highlighted that the draft law must establish strong protections for investors while safeguarding Liberia’s sovereign interests. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to offering ongoing legal and technical guidance throughout the legislative process.

The validation workshop included detailed technical presentations, interactive plenary sessions, and remarks from key partners, including representatives of the United States Embassy near Monrovia, ArcelorMittal Liberia, Ivanhoe Atlantic, and Transport Minister Sirleaf Ralph Tyler.

With the stakeholder validation complete, the draft legislation will undergo final technical refinements before being submitted to President Boakai and subsequently forwarded to the National Legislature for deliberation and passage into law. Once enacted, the LNRA Act of 2026 will empower the new authority to regulate multi-user rail corridors, drive sustainable industrial growth, and uphold accountability across Liberia’s transportation and mining sectors.

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