Published: August 7, 2025
KAKATA, MARGIBI COUNTY – ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has officially dedicated the newly rehabilitated 28-kilometer road linking Firestone Club House (Harbel Hill) to Kakata City, marking a major infrastructure boost for Margibi County under the company’s community development initiative.
The project, launched in May 2025 and valued at over US$500,000, was implemented by Liberian-owned construction firm FREBENJA under the supervision of ArcelorMittal Liberia and the Ministry of Public Works.
At Monday’s dedication ceremony in Kakata, ArcelorMittal’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations, Marcus Wleh, described the project as a powerful example of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a testament to the company’s ongoing partnership with host communities.
“To the good people of this district and the public, AML wants to officially thank you for your support—we thank you for your patience,” Wleh said. “This half-million-dollar road rehabilitation project is a great example of what a good public-private partnership can deliver.”
Representing the company’s CEO, Wleh emphasized that the road was not built because AML has surplus resources but because of its firm belief in supporting the growth of Liberian communities.
“We did it not because ArcelorMittal has a lot of money—we did it because we know it is our corporate social responsibility,” he added.
The road serves as a vital artery, connecting Kakata to both the Firestone community and Buchanan in Grand Bassa County. Local leaders say it will ease movement, cut travel time, and expand access to health services, trade, and education.
Margibi District #1 Representative Elleh A. Artoh-Wreh praised the initiative, describing the project as “transformational.”
“This road is very important—it connects Kakata to Firestone and Buchanan,” she said. “Here we are today celebrating what AML has done. When companies in Liberia understand their contribution to national growth and development, we must give them thanks—and keep knocking on their doors.”
Superintendent of Margibi County O.J. Morris echoed her sentiments, noting that the project aligns with the Liberian government’s broader development agenda to enhance nationwide road connectivity.
Under the terms of the project, FREBENJA will also be responsible for road maintenance over the next six months.
The road dedication underscores AML’s broader commitment to infrastructure and human capital development in Liberia. Since commencing operations in 2006, the iron ore giant has injected millions of dollars into the County Social Development Fund (CSDF) for Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba counties.
Beyond infrastructure, AML has invested in education, health, and livelihoods. The company runs a vocational training center that prepares young Liberians for careers in mechanics, electricity, and other skilled trades. It also operates clinics and hospitals that provide medical care to thousands annually, mostly residents of nearby communities.
In recent years, AML launched a Community Development Fund to implement projects directly benefiting populations in its operational areas. It has also built or rehabilitated schools, roads, water systems, and marketplaces, and supported local farmers and entrepreneurs with training and compensation.
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