Gbarnga, Bong County – Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba Counties’ mine, rail, and port leaders have reiterated their dedication to upholding cooperative partnership with ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), promising to use the company’s established grievance procedures as the main avenue for addressing issues and settling disputes. Members of AML’s Local Consultative Forum (LCF), community leaders, and county superintendents gathered for a two-day stakeholder conference in Gbarnga, Bong County, where they made their pledge.
Karyou Johnson, the superintendent of Grand Bassa County, commended AML for planning what he called a “eye-opening” event, pointing out that the conference clarified a number of long-standing problems. He claimed that although he had major reservations about AML’s operations when he first came, the conversations taught him that the company has made significant contributions that are sometimes disregarded. Johnson emphasized AML’s scrap metal donation to Grand Bassa, which supported a county infrastructure project and helped pay for the tuition of Bassa students studying in Rwanda. In order to avoid misconceptions caused by false information, he urged AML to improve communication with local authorities.
Additionally, Superintendent Johnson voiced dismay at allegations of assaults on AML workers in certain areas. Stressing that the government must safeguard investments and that attacks on corporate employees jeopardize chances for local communities, he asked his fellow leaders to advise their citizens against violence. He declared, “We must all work to prevent violence against company workers. We can all become losers as a result of their actions.”
These worries were shared by Thomas Suah, the Ministry of Internal Affairs Coordinator for AML-community interactions. He praised AML for organizing the event and stated that since taking over, he has kept a close eye on the company’s operations and noted that many of its 2024 goals, such as building water kiosks and hiring locals, had been met. Suah urged AML to keep actively interacting with local authorities and to give frequent updates on employment prospects and community development programs.
Amstrong Gobaselekpoh, a civil society activist and Director of Education Guide, pointed out that earlier community demonstrations against AML had not produced the expected outcomes. He emphasized that future interactions between the corporation and impacted communities must be guided by mutual understanding and trust, and he urged for a strategic change from confrontation to constructive discussion.
Yarmein Administrative District Paramount Chief Richard Gbanteah added a powerful traditional voice by acknowledging that certain young people have been implicated in the theft of AML property. He called on local authorities to talk to their kids and prevent this kind of behavior. He underlined, “What belongs to the community belongs to the community; what belongs to the company belongs to the company.” Gbanteah cautioned that AML’s operations could be threatened by criminal activity and violence, and that any setback to the company would eventually hurt the nation and the community.
According to Vaanii Kiazolu, AML’s Community Relations Manager, the conference was one of the company’s most fruitful stakeholder interactions in recent memory. He clarified that although AML frequently had these events before the Ebola outbreak, they hadn’t happened on this scale in a while. In order to improve cooperation and maintain open lines of communication between AML and its fenceline communities, Kiazolu announced plans to host two more conferences next year, one in Grand Bassa and another in Nimba.
Overall, the meeting reaffirmed pledges to communication, openness, and collaboration, with AML representatives and community leaders affirming a common goal of nonviolent interaction and group advancement.
