Monrovia, Liberia – Grand Bassa District #3 Representative Clarence T. Banks expressed extreme frustration at the status of unfinished development projects financed by contributions from ArcelorMittal Liberia, following the presentation of a shocking report during a Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus meeting on Wednesday. The report has rekindled public concern over the mismanagement of County Social Development Funds.
Moses G. Henry, the former chairman of the Project Management Committee (PMC), presented the report, which listed five significant community initiatives that have been put on hold since 2018 in spite of receiving considerable financial contributions throughout the years. These consist of the building of a clinic in Boglay valued at $129,889.88, a $117,970.20 bridge in Blagbhn, a $130,001.44 bridge in St. John under the BBA community, a third bridge in Diahn budgeted at $322,559.83, and a $49,348.13 market project in Yeablo, District #2 Compound.
Henry did not elaborate on the financial supervision, contractor accountability, or particular implementation issues, instead attributing the protracted delays to administrative difficulties that arose during the previous representative’s term.
Visibly discouraged by the results, representative Banks decried the obvious lack of progress despite considerable money and questioned the reliability of the monitoring procedures in place to oversee such initiatives. “This cannot be tolerated,” he said. “Results are what our people deserve, especially when the County Social Development Fund is being used to fund these projects.”
The report’s presentation coincides with nationwide demands for greater accountability and transparency in municipal government. In order to rebuild public confidence and provide long-promised services, Banks urged his colleagues and local leaders to give the completion of these projects first priority.
The public’s opinion of ArcelorMittal Liberia, the country’s biggest foreign investor, is impacted by this issue, which is deeper and more complicated than the outcry.
Since 2006, ArcelorMittal has contributed more than $52.3 million to the County Social Development Fund as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations under the Mineral Development Agreement. This money was intended to help transformative community development initiatives in the company’s operating counties of Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa.
Unfortunately, the real value of these contributions has been hidden by several cases of poor management and delayed implementation at the county level. People in various areas frequently say that ArcelorMittal “has done nothing” for them. The true problem, however, is not that the business is not meeting its responsibilities; rather, it is that local governing systems are consistently unable to convert these monies into observable achievements.
Grand Bassa’s predicament is not unique. Similar grievances have been heard throughout the counties of Nimba and Bong, where roads, market buildings, and unfinished clinics are in disrepair and were financed on paper but never delivered in reality. The company’s reputation among the local populace is being unfairly harmed by this discrepancy between donation and impact.
According to a Buchanan community elder, Joe Martins, people are making assumptions about ArcelorMittal based on things they cannot see. “They are unaware that the money is being paid; but it simply does not get to us.”
The events in Grand Bassa provide a clear lesson as Liberia strives for more responsible investment: Corporate commitment is insufficient on its own. Even the most generously financed development initiatives will fail if there is a lack of strong accountability, efficient project management, and open government at the county level.
It is now anticipated that the Grand Bassa Legislative Caucus will begin a thorough inquiry into the financial documents, contractor operations, and project supervision procedures related to the halted developments. In the upcoming days, a formal declaration detailing corrective measures and potential penalties is expected.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s contributions continue to be an essential lifeline for local development, one that merits acknowledgment and responsible management by those in charge of bringing about change on the ground.
