By: Amos Harris
Gbrapa, Nimba County – Deep-seated frustration is boiling over in Nimba County as residents of Gbrapa, alongside vocal youth groups and local stakeholders, are demanding greater accountability from ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) regarding its operations under the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA). The community alleges a significant disconnect between the company’s extensive extraction of iron ore, gold, and diamonds and the tangible benefits reaching the communities directly impacted by its presence.
The discontent extends to local county officials, who are facing accusations of prioritizing personal financial gains derived from the company over the welfare of their constituents. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that some officials are hesitant to challenge AML due to financial incentives purportedly aimed at securing an extension of the company’s operational contract. This perceived alignment with corporate interests at the expense of the community has further fueled the residents’ anger.
“Our people are still living in container camps without dignity or proper medical facilities,” a visibly upset resident stated, highlighting the stark contrast between the company’s resource extraction and the living conditions of those in the area. “We cannot sit by and allow ArcelorMittal to continue its operations without addressing these pressing issues that have plagued our communities for far too long.”
Adding to their grievances, community members claim that substantial quantities of gold and diamonds are being extracted from Nimba County with minimal economic returns filtering back to the local population. They are vehemently advocating for a more equitable distribution of the wealth generated from their land, insisting that AML must ensure tangible and sustainable benefits for Nimba County and its people. This includes investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare that directly improve the lives of residents.
“We are committed to development and investment in the Liberian people,” a determined youth leader asserted. “But media publicity touting these commitments cannot overshadow the harsh reality that our people are suffering while our resources are being depleted. If the citizens of Nimba do not directly benefit from the wealth extracted from our county, then ArcelorMittal’s operations here are ultimately pointless and serve only their interests.”
A particularly contentious issue fueling the community’s anger is the perceived employment disparity within AML’s workforce. Residents claim that a disproportionate number of workers are being recruited from Lofa County, leaving a significant number of young, capable individuals in Nimba County unemployed. This perceived preferential treatment has ignited feelings of marginalization and resentment within the local communities.
“We are not against hiring people from other counties; we believe in the unity of our nation,” a community advocate clarified. “However, we vehemently demand fair and equitable employment opportunities for Nimba citizens. Our young people possess the skills and the right to gainful employment just as much as anyone else in Liberia. This imbalance must be addressed immediately.”
The citizens of Nimba County are collectively calling for urgent and decisive interventions from both ArcelorMittal Liberia and the national government to ensure that the company genuinely fulfills its corporate social responsibilities and provides sustainable benefits to the local communities directly impacted by its operations. They are warning that a continued failure to address these long-standing concerns could inevitably lead to heightened tensions and the possibility of direct action against the company’s operations within the region, potentially disrupting its activities and further destabilizing the area. The situation underscores the critical need for transparent dialogue, genuine engagement, and a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that resource extraction translates into meaningful and lasting development for the people of Nimba County.
Comments are closed.