Senator Bartekwa alleged that the company not only abandoned its operations but also left behind its employees and failed to meet key obligations under the agreement.
Monrovia – The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Investment and Concessions, Senator Numene Bartekwa, has called for the cancellation of the Forest Management Contract (FMC) signed between the Government of Liberia (GOL) and Atlantic Resources Limited, citing the company’s abrupt shutdown and prolonged absence from Grand Kru County.
By Obediah Johnson
In 2009, Atlantic Resources Limited secured a 25-year Forest Management Contract, granting it the right to manage and harvest timber in forested areas of Grand Kru and Sinoe counties. However, the company reportedly ceased operations in 2016 and has since disappeared without notice to county authorities or residents.
In a communication addressed to the Plenary of the Liberian Senate on Tuesday, June 24, Senator Bartekwa alleged that the company not only abandoned its operations but also left behind its employees and failed to meet key obligations under the agreement.
“The company’s decision to shut down and abandon its operations clearly shows a lack of interest and commitment to fulfilling its contractual responsibilities,” Bartekwa stated.
He further noted that several efforts—through meetings and correspondence—to engage the company and persuade it to resume operations have proven futile.
“In view of the above, I hereby request that the Liberian Senate take decisive action by terminating the operations of Atlantic Resources in Grand Kru County through de-ratification of its concession agreement. This would pave the way for other interested investors to access and utilize the forest resources in the county,” he said.
‘Roads Cut Off, Equipment Abandoned’
Speaking to reporters following his submission to the Senate, Senator Bartekwa lamented the deteriorating state of infrastructure in the area once occupied by Atlantic Resources. He said roads and bridges are in deplorable condition due to the company’s failure to uphold its corporate social responsibilities.
He disclosed that some locals attempted to sell off the abandoned equipment left behind by the company, but were stopped by local authorities.
“The entire part of our county is effectively closed. No one from Grand Kru can access Sinoe via that route. The workers have been abandoned, and all the social services the company was supposed to provide have been neglected,” Bartekwa stated.
He emphasized that the continued hold on the concession by Atlantic Resources is blocking new investment and leaving local communities in limbo.
A Pattern of Neglect
Senator Bartekwa also drew comparisons to the departure of Hummingbird Resources, another company that exited its operations without fulfilling obligations, saying Liberia must learn from these experiences.
He urged the government to thoroughly vet the financial and technical capacity of foreign companies before signing future concession agreements.
“Too often, individuals come here, sign agreements with the government, and then head off to Europe or the World Trade Center seeking investors, without any proven capacity to deliver,” he warned.
He said such companies often mislead the government and leave local citizens trapped in poverty due to unpaid taxes and unmet community development commitments.
“Atlantic Resources has held this concession hostage for nearly a decade,” Bartekwa stressed. “Other companies are willing to invest, but they cannot move in while Atlantic remains legally tied to the area.”
While denying any personal interest in seeing a particular company take over the concession, Senator Bartekwa pledged to support any credible investor willing to operate in compliance with the law and in the interest of the Liberian people—especially those in the affected concession communities.
