Monrovia, Liberia – As ArcelorMittal Liberia continues to commemorate its 20th anniversary, a legacy employee is considering the company’s outstanding accomplishments, especially its investment in reviving the country’s railway, which is owned by the Liberian government and the people of Liberia.
James Gibson, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s first employee, has praised the company for its vital role in repairing and maintaining the train infrastructure, which was in danger of collapsing prior to AML’s intervention.
It was a proud and sentimental occasion for Gibson to attend the anniversary celebration. He offered compelling insights on ArcelorMittal Liberia’s modest origins and growth into a major force in the country’s mining industry as he reflected on the company’s early years.
“You have taken a herculean step,” Gibson remarked, recalling the early challenges faced by the company. “When we started ArcelorMittal at room number 160 in the Mamba Point Hotel, it was John White, Rashe Guen, and his wife, and we started this company from here.”
Gibson detailed the challenges of reviving Liberia’s rail infrastructure, a crucial component of ArcelorMittal’s operations. “We went to Buchanan and we walked the railroad. I think we stopped at St. John Bridge and came back. We had to tell the Liberian government that it was not possible to get railway ballots from here. Because people were saying we got all these people here breaking rocks, but they failed to realize ballots are not rock breaking.”
Gibson further emphasized how important ArcelorMittal is to the maintenance of Liberia’s railway network. “I hear people talking about railroads all the time; without ArcelorMittal, there wouldn’t be any railroads at all, because the railroad had been looted.”
He went on to say, “I was passing and I saw ArcelorMittal and I said, ‘That’s my company,” expressing his delight in the company’s accomplishments. The commitment and strong feeling of ownership that have guided ArcelorMittal Liberia’s development over the previous 20 years are demonstrated by his remarks. The ideals that pioneers like James Gibson helped to establish resilience, creativity, and community development remain steadfast as the company progresses.
ArcelorMittal Liberia is commemorating 20 years of operating in the nation this year, looking back on its accomplishments and contributions to the growth of the nation. The corporation has made billions of dollars in economic investments in Liberia over the years, revolutionizing the mining industry and giving Liberians thousands of new employment.
Its Phase Two development plan is expected to boost Liberia’s mining sector and greatly enhance iron ore production. The development is expected to increase exports and provide more income for the nation by building new processing facilities, more train infrastructure, and improved port facilities in Buchanan.
In addition to mining, ArcelorMittal Liberia offers training and career development programs to improve the skills of the local workforce, giving thousands of Liberians job prospects. By funding infrastructure, healthcare, and education projects that raise the standard of living for residents in the communities where it works, the corporation has also supported community development programs.
Apart from its historical contributions, ArcelorMittal Liberia has made significant investments in rail infrastructure, which has improved the nation’s logistical capacities and ensured the effective delivery of iron ore. The rail network is now one of Liberia’s most advanced transportation networks because to the company’s substantial expansion and maintenance efforts.
ArcelorMittal has stated that it is open to other companies using the train facility as it grows its business, creating a shared infrastructure model that encourages regional industrial collaboration and economic progress.
In commemoration of its milestone, the company confirms its long-term dedication to infrastructure development, job creation, and economic progress in Liberia, guaranteeing that its influence will last for years to come.
