Sanniquellie, Nimba County — Traditional leaders in Nimba County have agreed to remove all road blocks they instituted against the operations of ArcelorMittal Liberia(AML) in the County, paving the way for dialogue between the communities and the company.
Normal activities of the world iron ore mining giant were halted for days in Nimba County due to sustained protests from host communities backed by their traditional society. The communities, mainly from Sehyi, Yarmein and Zor Chiefdoms accused the company for not living up to the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) signed with the Government of Liberia and its social corporate responsibility to the communities.
They are demanding improved road connecting the communities, employment of locals, restoration of facilities in Yekepa, as well as resolving environmental, water, sewage and health conditions.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the protest prompted an urgent visit of Internal Affairs Minister, Honorable Francis Sakila Nyumalin, Sr who led a delegation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Concession (IMCC), whose intervention led to end of protest and removing of road blocks traditional leaders.
At a well-attended townhall meeting held in Gbaleayee Town, Yarmein District, Saturday, May 11, 2024, the Internal Affairs Minister and team listened to all sides to the protest including women, youth, advocacy and civil society groups, chiefs and traditional leaders, among others. The Minister held separate consultative engagement with traditional leaders it was agreed to end the protest and remove road blocks.
According to the release, the Minister announced that ArcelorMittal will begin road rehabilitation works immediately, while they commence dialogue for the other demands.
He requested the affected communities to form a committee that will engage with the management of ArcelorMittal on a count-by-count basis of each demand beginning with the first dialogue scheduled for Sunday, May 12, 2024 in Yekepa.
Honorable Nyumalin said he wants the company to sit with the communities for dialogue while fostering social cohesion.
The Internal Affairs Minister frowned on the use of traditional society for protest purposes, saying, while the Government would demand concession to fulfil obligations, the Government does not encourage the use of tradition as a substitute for the rule of law.
Saturday’s engagement was attended by Honorable Edwin Dennis, head of the National Bureau of Concession, the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Mines & Energy, Representative of Electoral District #3 Honorable Nehker Gaye along with Representation Nyan Flomo of Nimba District #2 and local government officials of Nimba County.
The Internal Affairs was accompanied by Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning Honorable D. Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Culture and Customs Honorable William Jallah and the Executive Director of Concession Conflict Resolution Office at MIA Mr. McDonald T. Wlemus, among others. The release concluded.
Discussion about this post