Nimba Students at the University of Liberia have raised concern over what they called 'deliberate failure' on the part of the world's steel Giant (Arcelormittal) to fulfill its concession agreement signed with the government of Liberia .
Speaking to this paper last week on the main campus of the University of Liberia, Glee stated that instead of the company renovating housing facilities left behind by the Liberia-Americo Mining Company (LAMCO), it has built container tents instead as homes.
He also named deplorable road conditions as some of areas the company has failed to address.
Glee stated that the present condition (poor housing facilities, deplorable roads) of Yekepa suggests to them that the company is not for seriousness in term of developing the area.
The student group is calling on the government to review the concession agreement with the company in order for the citizens, especially those in the affected area, to benefit.
They have however threatened to stage series of protest actions including peaceful demonstration and hunger strikes to ensure that the company makes positive impact on the community and its people.
Responding to the students' claims, the Communication Manager of ArcelorMittal, Hesta Person, said that the company is working in line with agreement signed with the Government of Liberia.
Contrary to the students' claim, Person said the company has renovated some of the housing facilities, built hospital and schools in Yekepa and other surrounding communities.
She said ArcelorMittal is not ignoring any portion of the concession agreement, adding that the company arranged its plan of operation into phases, something she said the citizens need to understand.
According to her, the company is in the concluding stages of the first phase and is expected to begin the second phase very soon.
Person told this paper via mobile phone that the second phase of the company's operation will take into consideration renovating more housing facilities and creating more jobs for Liberians.
According to her the company has invested over US$1billion, and is excited to making Yekepa one of the beautiful places in Liberia, even more than its pre-war status. “But we really need Liberians to understand and work along with us in achieving one goal for the improvement of Liberia.”
The students' claims come a week after Nimba County District #2 Representative, Prince Tokpah, pronounced the need to immediately review the concession agreement between the government and ArcelorMittal.
Tokpah said that his call to review the company agreement is due to poor performance on the part of the company to live up to concession agreement.
ArcelorMittal in 2005 entered into billion dollars (now US$1.6 bn) mineral agreement with the Government of Liberia to explore iron ore from northern region of Nimba County.
Part of the company's obligation was to pay an annual social fund of US$3 million to effected counties, build roads, and renovate housing facilities left behind by former LAMCO.
But the citizens are complaining that the company is yet to fully meet up with its obligation having gone more than 6 years in the 20 years agreement.
