Zolowee, Nimba County – ArcelorMittal Liberia, in collaboration with the Liberia National Police (LNP), has broken ground for the construction of a modern police depot in Zolowee, Nimba County. The project, fully financed by ArcelorMittal Liberia, is expected to be completed by the end of the year, after which police officers will be deployed to the community.
In light of increased insecurity threats at the mines, Zolowee villagers requested the project during Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman’s 2024 visit. Residents disputed public assertions that Zolowee was a “troublemaking town” during that visit, arguing that they were being unjustly held responsible for illegal actions committed by foreigners. They called on AML and the LNP to send police officers to the town to enforce the law after accusing outsiders of working with some equipment operators at the mines to steal gasoline.
This request was fulfilled on September 1, 2024, with the groundbreaking ceremony. Nimba County Police Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mendin Larmie, AML Security Manager Francis Bangura, local chiefs, AML’s Community Relations Section, AML’s Infrastructure team employees, representatives of the contracted construction company, A & E International, and representatives of the Security Expert Guard Agency of Liberia (SEGAL) were present.
Roland Dolo, the town chief of Zolowee, welcomed the visitors and stated, “We have been anticipating this project and have given this land ever since. We want a depot here to demonstrate whether or not our people are actually doing the alleged crimes in Zolowee, where individuals have been lying. It’s past time for this project.”
ACP Larmie stressed that Zolowee had been wrongly labeled as a base for troublemakers and commended AML for covering the depot’s costs. He claimed that the community’s dedication to maintaining peace is demonstrated by the building of the police facility.
“The fact that the people willingly provided this land for the Government of Liberia to construct a police depot is clear evidence that Zolowee has been misrepresented,” he said.
Larmie promised that the police will serve as “friends of the community,” trying to maintain harmony and shield locals from harassment and threats.
The plan to construct a police station in Zolowee was first envisaged in April 2024, according to Francis Bangura, AML Security Manager. He emphasized that ArcelorMittal cares about the welfare of the people living in its concession regions as a development partner. “AML wants to see peaceful coexistence among the residents of Zolowee, Makinto, Gbapa, and the neighboring towns. That’s why we backed this concept with the LNP,” he said.
“It is the police that will run the depot, but it is ArcelorMittal paying for it and ready to provide any additional support,” Bangura said, praising Town Chief Dolo and local elders for contributing land for the project.
Jenkins W. Teaway, AML’s Superintendent for Construction and Infrastructure, explained that the LNP, the company’s Security Department, and its Community Relations Section are working together to carry out the project. The majority of the employees are being hired from the host community in accordance with AML’s employment policy. He clarified that construction is being handled by A & E International and that the facility will adhere to police standards that have been approved by the government. It will have offices for the Chief Inspector and Charge of Quarters, three holding cells (one each for women, men, and minors), and other necessary areas.
Prince Zee, the manager of A & E International, gave the audience the assurance that the project would be finished and prepared for dedication by December 2025 because the necessary supplies and labor are already in place.
