{"id":1473,"date":"2021-09-17T10:57:18","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T10:57:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.thedaylight.org\/wp68\/?p=1473"},"modified":"2021-09-18T17:26:20","modified_gmt":"2021-09-18T17:26:20","slug":"nimba-citizens-reject-arcelormittals-concession-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.thedaylight.org\/wp68\/2021\/09\/17\/nimba-citizens-reject-arcelormittals-concession-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Nimba Citizens Reject ArcelorMittal’s Concession Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Banner Image: Iron Ores on their way to the Port of Buchanan. The DayLight\/James Harding Giahyue<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By Varney Kamara<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

PAYNESVILLE – Aggrieved citizens from Nimba County Monday criticized the extension of ArcelorMittal’s mineral development agreement (MDA) on grounds that they did not participate in its negotiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML), the world’s largest steel company, signed a US$800 million investment agreement<\/a> with the Liberian government. The deal, which takes the company’s operational period to 2046, will also see an increase in annual shipment from 5 million to 15 million tons. It agreed to provide 4,000 new jobs, the government announced after the signing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We categorically reject and unequivocally denounce, object to and resist any extension of the MDA with AML until AML can demonstrate and prove its compliance with the current terms and conditions of the MDA,\u201d their 12-count resolution read. They cited the Land Rights Act of 2018,  which recognizes communities’ rights to land and provides for their participation in the government\u2019s issuance of mining licenses.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mamee Gongbah, a youth leader in Nimba County, criticizes ArcelorMittal\u2019s new deal with Liberia. The DayLight\/Varney Kamara<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“We are here to oppose the expansion and extension of this agreement” Mamee Gongbah, a Nimba youth representative said in a press conference in Paynesville. \u201cYou cannot be talking about the expansion and extension of new [mineral development agreement] when you still have our people drinking from the St. Johnson River.”   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aggrieved citizens also raised issues with ArcelorMittal\u2019s alleged violations of its previous agreement.  They said Liberians had not made up 50 percent of the company\u2019s senior staff, which should be the case within 10 years of its operations, according to the agreement. They said the company had not delivered on promises it made to build communities\u2019 infrastructures, including handpumps, schools and clinics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They demanded their lawmakers to back their decision to denounce the new agreement and urged the Legislature to reject the passage of the deal.  Prince Tokpah, the representative of Nimba County District No.2, received the resolution and promised to deliver it to the caucus and House Speaker Bhofal Chambers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We reserve the right to go to court if our concerns are not addressed” Sonda Geepea Wilson, the group\u2019s legal consultant, told The DayLight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement came hours after Gbezongar Findley, former President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, filed a lawsuit against ArcelorMittal at the Second Judiciary Circuit in Grand Bassa County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ArcelorMittal said it would respond to the allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last month, citizens of Grand Bassa County also criticized the company for breaching several clauses of its previous agreement relating to affected communities there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ArcelorMittal said the group\u2019s accusations were \u201cmisrepresentation of the facts\u201d in a statement<\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ArcelorMittal exports its iron ore via a railroad that passes Bong County to the Port of Buchanan in the county\u2019s capital. The company pays Nimba, Bassa and Bong\u2014the three counties affected by its operations\u2014US$3 million in social development funds. Nimba receives US$1.5 million, Bassa US$1 million and Bong US$500,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liberia\u2019s largest taxpayer, ArcelorMittal signed a US$2.6 billion agreement with Liberia in 2006 for 25 years. The agreement was the country’s first foreign direct investment following years of devastating civil conflict, which left its economy in shambles.   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Banner Image: Iron Ores on their way to the Port of Buchanan. The DayLight\/James Harding Giahyue By Varney Kamara PAYNESVILLE – Aggrieved citizens from Nimba County Monday criticized the extension of ArcelorMittal’s mineral development agreement (MDA) on grounds that they did not participate in its negotiation. 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