Civil society activist Emmanuel Saye Bellehbokpolah Nenwon has rebuked ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) for abusing and exploiting local communities. He justifies why their mineral development agreement should not be renewed and accuses AML of failing to deliver on its promises.
Speaking in a statement released Saturday, April 5, 2025, Nenwon pushed back against what he called “baseless arguments” that AML’s controversial rail operations take precedence over the presence of Nimba University. “Let’s walk through history and truth, not propaganda!” he declared. According to Nenwon, while the original railway was constructed in the 1960s under LAMCO, Sanniquellie Central High School, now the site of Nimba University, was established in 1956, predating the railway.
“Education came first, before iron ore, before rails, before AML!” he said. “AML is blocking a school that predates the railway. AML is disturbing learning that founded the future of Nimba.”
Nenwon accused ArcelorMittal of “disrespecting a legacy of knowledge” by continuing operations that disrupt classes through environmental and noise pollution. He called on the company to offer financial support to at least 100 Nimba University students every semester, at a minimum of $50 per student, and to reduce its operational impact on the school environment. He further warned that failure to act would be met with “peaceful resistance,” beginning April 14 when school resumes.
“When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty,” he declared. “You can’t block our future and expect peace!”
This latest salvo comes weeks after Nenwon, on March 18, issued a scathing critique of AML’s bid to renew its Mineral Development Agreement with the Liberian government. After reviewing the 2007 amended agreement, he accused AML of breaching its commitments in multiple areas, including job creation, infrastructure, environmental protection, and social investment.
Nenwon charged the company with prioritizing expatriate staff over Liberians, failing to build promised schools and healthcare centers, and contributing to environmental degradation through the pollution of rivers, streams, and farmland. “Children remain in poorly built schools, residents lack access to healthcare, and families live with contaminated water sources,” he said.
He also raised alarm over worker safety, alleging frequent injuries and fatalities due to inadequate protective measures. Financially, he accused AML of underreporting revenue. He called for a new percentage-based payment system that ties national income to company profits, echoing civil society activist John Alexander Nyahn Jr.’s recommendation.
Further condemning AML’s treatment of displaced families, Nenwon said the company has not provided proper resettlement or alternative livelihoods. He described AML’s infrastructure efforts as insufficient and criticized the company for failing to deliver long-term benefits to the communities it affects.
He urged lawmakers to reject AML’s contract renewal unless the company fulfills its previous promises. “Our resources belong to the people, not foreign corporations that destroy communities while profiting,” he stated, rallying Liberians to demand accountability and justice.
