Margibi County – Yesterday, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) formally launched the Firestone Division Community Development Road Project in the Kpelleh Town Community of Kakata City, Margibi County.
The 28-kilometer road, which runs from the Firestone Staff Club to Kakata’s Kpelleh Town Community, hasn’t been repaired in a while. Residents will be happy that the road’s rehabilitation marks a major improvement after having to endure poor road conditions for a long time.
Through Margibi County Representative Hellen Wureh, the proposal was formally requested by citizens.
To ensure stakeholder participation and collaborate on goals, AML and community members had a formal start meeting on-site on Tuesday, May 13, 2024. During the meeting, the project’s goals and implementation strategy were presented.
The project will be completed by the Liberian business Frebenja Group of Companies. The project should be completely operational by next Tuesday, with the contractor scheduled to begin bringing equipment onto the site this weekend.
Marcus Wleh, Head of Sustainability and External Relations at AML, emphasized the company’s commitment to having a beneficial influence outside of its core business areas.
“We go beyond where we work, and we value our communities. We try our best to keep our community roadways in good condition, but we don’t claim to be the Ministry of Public Works. It took a while for us to respond to the community’s request in the Firestone concession area, but I’m pleased to report that the more than half-million-dollar ($527,000) road project officially begins today,” Wleh said.
He went on to say that AML sought input from Firestone Liberia over its decision to repair the road and has the full backing of the famous rubber plantation from 1926.
AML General Manager of Mines, Jallah Selmah also spoke at the event, saying he was “pleased to be with the community” for what he called a “significant community relations initiative.”
Any normal mining company would never be afraid to become involved with the community, Selmah said. Our satisfaction always comes from interacting with the community, not only to say hello but to show results.
He underlined the importance of local cooperation throughout construction: “We need to control traffic properly where these equipment are operating.”
AML Road Coordinator Benjamine S. Momolu provided technical details, stating that the road begins at the Kakata Police Station and ends at the Firestone Golf Club. The project calls for reinforced road construction, improved drainage, culvert installation, and full restorations of damaged areas to offer all-season accessibility.
Fred Kennedy, the CEO of the Frebenja Group of Companies and a native of Margibi County, commended AML for the opportunity and pledged to do excellent job and get the community involved.
Kennedy stated, “We’ll make sure to adhere to the technical specifications in the contract. Personally, I’ll be traveling to ensure that we live up to ArcelorMittal’s standards and our own citizens’ expectations. Our job includes this route.”
A number of Kakata locals enthusiastically and gratefully embraced the idea. One local commented, “We are very happy for ArcelorMittal because no one came to our aid and this road has been bad for many years. Therefore, we would want to appreciate the company’s efforts.”
A Booker Washington Institute student named Hawa Peters agreed. “With ArcelorMittal’s assistance, maybe the anxiety of traveling up and down such a terrible route can finally come to an end. We appreciate this, the company could have moved this development to their home bases in Grand Bassa or Nimba, but instead they brought it here to assist us,” she remarked.
The commencement of the 28-kilometer road restoration project in Margibi is considered an important milestone because the county is not directly included in AML’s concession, as in Grand Bassa, Nimba, and Bong.
The initiative shows AML’s broader dedication to improving community livelihoods and advancing national development, even outside of its local operating regions.
