Just few days after the Ministry of Public Works suspended the road user permit of Western Cluster, the Government of Liberia was apprised of the docking of AE Mercury, a vessel brought in by WCL to export ores previously prepared.
According to a release, the Government said the vessel only docked at the Freeport of Monrovia on May 3, 2024, predating the period at which Western Cluster’s Road User Permit was suspended.
Following rigorous analysis of the legal and financial consequences that could lie against Western Cluster and the Government of Liberia, the Government has decided to grant Western Cluster a three (3) day respite from May 10-12, 2024, to allow the companies lift its ores that were already prepared for export.
However, the Government reaffirms its determination to uncompromisingly enforce the suspension of Western Cluster’s Road User Permit at the cessation of the respite, until there are irrefutable pieces of evidence that the company has met its obligations stipulated in the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) where unto it signed.
The Public Works Ministry is assuring those directly affected by Western Cluster’s violations of the MDA that it will ensure that the complications are resolved, and that the company is made fully compliant before the suspension is lifted.
“Therefore, it is also important to stress that the respite ends on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at midnight, and that the suspension remains enforced thereafter,” the Ministry maintained.
