— Company’s Promises of Progress Clash With Harsh Realities in Host Communities
By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – June 12, 2025 – Despite continuous proclamations of a multi-billion-dollar investment in Liberia, ArcelorMittal Liberia faces mounting criticism as its contractors reportedly endure squalid living conditions in host communities. These harsh realities starkly contrast with the company’s public relations narrative of progress and significant contributions to the nation’s development.
During a press briefing held today at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism (MICAT), ArcelorMittal’s top executives highlighted their purported $3.5 billion investment in Liberia since 2006, touting it as “one of the largest ArcelorMittal has ever made on the continent.” However, Chief Operating Officer Anthony P. Kocken and his colleagues offered no substantive explanation for the inhumane and degrading conditions faced by Liberian contractors. Many of these essential workers are reportedly housed in makeshift, dilapidated structures lacking basic amenities such as running water, electricity, and proper sanitation.
This disconnect between corporate rhetoric and on-the-ground reality has sparked outrage among local communities and rights advocates. While ArcelorMittal pledges to boost employment, improve infrastructure, and invest in health and education, residents of Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties – where the company operates – continue to question the tangible impact of these claims. Many argue that the company’s activities have primarily served to extract Liberia’s resources rather than genuinely foster its development.
General Manager of Mines, Jallah Selena, asserted the company’s “good standing” with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory bodies. Yet, local environmental groups have repeatedly condemned ArcelorMittal’s mining operations for alleged damage to local ecosystems and pollution of nearby water sources. Selena’s claim that the company has no financial liabilities to students or the Liberian government also drew skepticism, with persistent allegations of mismanagement and uneven distribution of the Social Development Fund intended for impacted counties.
Rebecca Kwabo, Head of Human Resources, reiterated the company’s narrative of increasing local employment. However, this assertion rings hollow for numerous contractors who reportedly work under precarious and exploitative terms, characterized by little to no job security and limited opportunities for advancement.
Perhaps the most glaring issue remains the company’s apparent refusal to address the unacceptable living conditions of its workers. While executives boast of multi-million-dollar contributions and partnerships, the individuals generating the company’s wealth are forced to reside in what can only be described as “misfit structures” – a stark embarrassment for a company profiting immensely from Liberia’s rich mineral resources.
Marcus Wleh, Head of Sustainability and External Relations, claimed ongoing collaboration with community stakeholders to ensure the fair distribution of development funds. However, numerous community leaders have reported little evidence of such collaboration, demanding greater transparency and accountability.
Despite COO Kocken’s pledge to increase the company’s annual contribution to the national budget from $30 million to $100 million, critics argue that monetary promises on paper are meaningless unless they translate into tangible improvements for the Liberian people on the ground. As ArcelorMittal Liberia continues to cultivate its public image and celebrate its partnership with the Boakai administration, the voices of the contractors – those living in squalor while building the company’s fortune – remain largely unheard and unaddressed.
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