By Joseph Tumbey; josephtumbey@gmail.com; (+231)777941209

The former Gompa City Major and Nimba Superintendent, Ms. Rachel Miller has joined the most affected Community in Nimba County to ask the world steel giant company, ArcelorMittal out of the County.

Ms. Miller said, the concessions agreement signed by the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal is the worst agreement ever because it poses serious treat on their lives.

Speaking to team of Journalists at her home town in Sanniquellie, in Nimba County during the week, the former Superintendent said her people are perishing from the toxic substances from the company’s mining sites as well the Railway motor operations.

She calls on the Government of Liberia to immediately and effectively get ArcelorMittal out of their County or risk endless protests to save the lives of their people.

“We are getting sick every day our houses  are crashing day by day and our people are dying from the chemical ArcelorMittal uses and from the vibration of their railway when they are transporting their raw materials” former Superintendent narrated.

Miller’s meanwhile added, ArcelorMittal  is undermining the operation of Solway mining company  which is on exploration and willing to work to restore their hope.

On his part, the town chief of Zolowee in Nimba County Mr. Francis Gongar said the communities around ArcelorMittal facility are divided into two, “the most affected and affected  ones”, he stated.

According to him in the agreement, they agreed upon receiving 20% of their annual development funds allocated for the county, those most affected communities should benefit but less or nothing is done since ArcelorMittal commenced their operations in the county.

Zolowee town Chief added, their citizens are also denied opportunities to obtain little jobs which they are qualified to do but the Company prefers giving it to outsiders. “What will be our benefits while the Company is taking out our natural resources with no jobs, roads, hospitals Schools and safe drinking waters”, he asked.

Speaking to Abraham Cyrus a driver and Citizen of the county, he predicts more disaster on the towns and villages along the ArcelorMittal railway due to poor maintenance of the railway facility.

Cyrus noted, all the timbers that hold the railway are damaged and no action is taking to prevent future disaster.

Efforts to contact ArcelorMittal authority over the allegation, journalists who went to Yekepa to inquire were denied access to premises of the company. A man who claims to be the Communications Director, only identified himself as Milton via phone said, the company can’t comment on any allegations and everything they do is in accordance with the law.