Since President Joseph Nyuma Boakai disparaged the living conditions in one of ArcelorMittal’s concession areas in Yekepa, Nimba County, the mining company has been engaged in massive public relations on its operations in the county; but residents and some employees have disclosed otherwise.
As our Nimba County correspondent reports, citizens are still not happy over the operations of ArcelorMittal (AML) in that part of the country indicating that protest could erupt based on similar reasons of poor living conditions and continuous violation of the Mineral Development Agreement.
The President’s statement against concession companies coincided with the disruption of normal activities of AML. Activities were halted for days in Nimba County due to sustained protests from host communities backed by their traditional society.
The communities, mainly from Sehyi, Yarmein, and Zor Chiefdoms accused the company of not living up to the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) signed with the Government of Liberia and its social corporate responsibility to the communities.
They demanded improved roads connecting the communities, employment of locals, restoration of facilities in Yekepa, as well as resolving environmental, water, sewage, and health conditions.
It can be recalled weeks ago at the US-Africa Business Summit held in Texas, the United States of America, President Boakai decried conditions in Yekepa and other concession areas stressing that during the early days of his public service career, he saw Yekepa and other mining concession areas vibrant and made a tremendous impact that spurred the lives of ordinary citizens.
He observed that concessionaires over the years have exploited the Liberian people with the help of powerful individuals.
He asserted that under his leadership, investment in Liberia will no longer be “business as usual” but that Liberians will see the impact of every investment in their area.
“These natural resources cannot be replenished. So we have to ensure that the country benefits while it is still there. A company cannot just pay salaries and do small corporate social responsibility and that’s all to talk about when that company leaves us. Investment in Liberia now will benefit the company and the people together,” President Boakai frowned.
However with these unresolved concerns expressed by citizens and residents, the company is said not to be doing much in keeping with their corporate social responsibility as being portrayed.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, who the company believes was one of the masterminds of the protest, is now praising AML for “Doing a great job.”
A press statement released on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 by ArcelorMittal Liberia, wherein it claims to be the largest foreign direct investment and the highest revenue contributor to the Government of Liberia, indicated that it is nearing the completion of its massive ore processing plant in Yekepa, Nimba County.
According to the statement, AML is currently undertaking a 1.7 billion “Phase 2 Expansion” project, which includes not only the construction of a state-of-the-art iron ore concentrator but also the augmentation of existing rail and port infrastructure to support the production and shipping of 15 million tons of concentrate ore per year.
Our correspondent quotes citizens as saying after several years of operations in the area with little or no significant impact, they are doubtful about the company’s pronouncement because employees are still living in containers and make-shift structures.
During a recent site visit in Nimba County, Vice President Jeremiah Koung described ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Phase II Expansion Project as a significant investment that will create numerous jobs for Liberians.
Vice President Koung commended the company for its $1.7 billion investment in the company’s second phase development and for constructing an ore concentrator.
“I want to say thank you. We appreciate your investment. Instead of simply moving the Direct Shipment Ore (DSO), you’re investing USD 1.7 billion in the concentrator. This facility will remain here,” he stressed.
Koung observed that the investment will attract a lot of people to the County, adding “Therefore, it is crucial that this investment aligns with the local community’s development, ensuring they also reap the benefits.
I
appreciate it. Thank you. This is a very big job, and I believe it will bring a lot of employment opportunities.”
“I will extend the message to the President, and I believe he will also visit here, and he will also see that ArcelorMittal is doing well,” Koung promised.
