US Gov’t Supports Liberia’s Commitment to “Multi-User Rail Model”

U.S. Ambassador Michael McCarthy 

.... “In response to President Weah’s policy decision to open the rail to multiple users, the Embassy has been exploring US private and public sector investment options that could directly support the Liberian government’s goals of independent, professional rail operatorship as well as broader rail access that could include cargo and passenger service," the Embassy said in a statement.

The US Embassy has claimed that it is exploring US private and public sector investment options that could directly support the Liberian government’s goals of independent, professional rail operatorship as well as broader rail access that could include cargo and passenger service.  

The Embassy revelation comes about years after President George Weah signed an executive order directing the establishment of a National Railway Authority, which would appoint an independent rail operator and ensure multiple eligible user rail access, among other duties.  

“In response to President Weah’s policy decision to open the rail to multiple users, the Embassy has been exploring US private and public sector investment options that could directly support the Liberian government’s goals of independent, professional rail operatorship as well as broader rail access that could include cargo and passenger service," the Embassy said in a statement.

The Embassy also noted that it welcomed this decision and the much-needed clarity it has provided for the development of an independent operator, multi-user rail model. 

Such a system could lead to significant investments by multiple mining companies in the rail corridor, and to significant economic benefit for the people of Liberia, the Embassy said.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy has said that its attention has been drawn to potentially misleading information purporting to represent the Embassy’s position on the above issues, “put forth by those who may favor one company’s interests over those of another.  

“Because government and private stakeholders are now deliberating the next steps in the rail and  mining development process, we believe it is timely and necessary to restate our long-held position that multiple corporate interests can and should be accommodated on the rail, in line with the  Liberian government’s stated policy.”

“In this new policy environment, any deal that favors one  corporate interest at the expense of others is only likely to set back the rail and mining development  process rather than move it forward through the parliamentary approval process.”