—-Assures Arcelormittal Liberia of Government Fullest Protection
IPNEWS: The Government of Liberia (GOL) has expressed grave concern over ongoing protests and tension within some communities of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s (AML) concession area in Nimba County. These activities have led to disruptions in the company’s operations and the free movement of our citizens.
Accordingly, the Government has constituted an inter-ministerial committee with a mandate to engage all parties involved to find an immediate solution to the situation.
The Committee comprises of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Justice, Mines and Energy, and Labor along with the National Bureau of Concessions.
According to release from the Ministry of Information, the Government remains fully supportive of the legal right to protest.l, however, cautioned citizens to be mindful of the need for investments that create jobs and provide livelihood for the Liberia people.
The Government of Liberia further frowns on the misuse of traditional and cultural institutions to intimidate citizens and foreign residents.
“There are legitimate channels to express grievances and the Government therefore urges all parties involved to tread the path of dialogue through the established grievance channels in seeking redress.”
“The GOL assures AML and all investors of its commitment to maintaining peace and security in their operational areas.” A Ministry of Information, Culture Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), statement concludes.
This week tension remains high in northern Nimba county following the besieging of ArcelorMittal Liberia facilities over the last five days. The ransacking of the company’s facilities by Weah’s ally Boima Morgan now puts President Boakai’s investment agenda in jeopardy as the President attends an ongoing U.S.-Africa summit in Dallas Texas, the United States, to attract investors to Liberia.
Sources close to the Boakai’s government informed the authoritative Independent Probe Newspaper that continued acts of gangsterism by accomplices of Boima Morgan are counterproductive to the much-needed direct Foreign investment in the country. It sends wrong signals to potential investors which would be expected to look Liberia’s way from the representation of President Boakai at the US-Africa Business meeting.
Additionally, diplomatic sources also hint at uneasiness over the government of Liberia’s unresponsiveness to the fracas amidst continuing lawlessness in Nimba County allegedly facilitated by Boima Morgan who remains backed by senior elements of the Weah’s regime.
Questions are now being asked why the silence of the most prominent son of the county, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung in the wake of mounting tension prevailing in the county, especially following his successful interventions when the motorcyclist threatened unspecified action in the wake of police determination to enforce the ‘no go zone’ restrictions for motorcycle and tricycles playing into the main city center.
Moreover, in February 2024, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung swiftly intervened in the protest crisis of AFL soldier’s wives, adverting a national calamity.
It can be recalled, that early this week some allegedly hired community dwellers and traditional masked devils under the alleged direction of Boima Morgan besieged ArcelorMittal Liberia facilities in Nimba county threatening to kill and harm workers and other peaceful residents. They ransacked offices and other facilities earlier on Monday morning, May 6th, tensions reached a boiling point as those allegedly paid by Boima and others, under his direction, deployed traditional ‘country devil’ at ArcelorMittal mines. The devils erected makeshift roadblocks at major entrances to the mines and Blei-Detton exploration areas preventing the movement of people, vehicles, and equipment.
ArcelorMittal Liberia has stated that these disruptions have hampered operations and raised concerns about the safety of its personnel and the broader community in the Nimba mining areas.
