Min. Piah Cautions Media to Stop Finger Pointing in HPX-ArcelorMittal Railway Talks: Says Speculative Reporting is Dangerous for Nation Building

By Desmond Gbeleh Wion

Capitol Hill, Monrovia – The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Information, has issued a stern caution to media institutions and public commentators against publishing unsubstantiated claims suggesting that government officials are favoring either High Power Exploration Inc. (HPX) or ArcelorMittal Liberia amid ongoing negotiations over the Nimba-Buchanan railway.

Speaking during the Ministry of Information’s regular Tuesday press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek Piah reiterated that the government remains neutral in its role as facilitator of discussions between the two companies. He emphasized that Liberia’s sole interest in the matter is to protect national development goals and ensure fair access to key infrastructure assets. Piah noted that the multi-user negotiation process must be free from public distortions that could jeopardize the integrity of ongoing talks.

“Reports attributing bias or favoritism to government officials are misleading, speculative, and risk undermining the integrity of the consultation process,” Piah declared. “The government is hosting these meetings in good faith and expects all media actors to exercise responsibility in their reporting.”

The Nimba-Buchanan railway is a strategic transportation route within Liberia’s mining sector. While ArcelorMittal currently holds usage rights, HPX has submitted proposals to gain shared access to the railway, prompting intense debate involving legal, technical, and commercial considerations. Piah disclosed that inter-ministerial consultations are underway, with all stakeholders aiming to arrive at a solution that balances investor interests with Liberia’s long-term development needs.

“The government’s role is to ensure all investments serve the long-term interest of the country, not to take sides,” Piah emphasized. “These deliberations are sensitive, and media outlets should refrain from inflammatory narratives that can derail progress.”

This cautionary stance follows a recent surge in media content—including talk shows, online articles, and newspaper reports—accusing unnamed government officials of harboring preferences or being influenced by foreign corporate actors. According to Piah, such speculation undermines trust in government processes and sows division among the public.

He urged media practitioners to seek verified information from official sources and uphold the principles of journalistic integrity, warning that false reporting not only threatens the negotiation process but can also destabilize the investment climate.

“As a government, we are committed to transparency. But that transparency must not be misused to advance misinformation,” he added.

The negotiations between HPX and ArcelorMittal are widely viewed as a litmus test for Liberia’s broader investment framework, particularly in mining and infrastructure. Minister Piah acknowledged the significance of these talks, assuring the public that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai is personally presiding over the inter-ministerial meetings and will ensure a comprehensive update is given once the deliberations reach a conclusion.

“President Boakai is highly interested in knowing the real issues of the negotiation discussion; therefore, he himself is presiding over the meetings, and we as a government will definitely update the country on the status of the meetings based on the resolution,” Piah concluded.