The recent opening of City Builders Liberia’s Steel Processing Plant, STEEL FORCE LLC, in the PAPACO community has stirred controversy as residents raise concerns over the factory’s failure to address its corporate social responsibilities.
While the plant, located at the Aluminum Factory, promised economic development and job creation, locals argue that its presence has brought more challenges than benefits, particularly regarding noise and air pollution.
Three months into its operations, PAPACO residents are increasingly vocal about the negative impact the steel factory is having on their daily lives. Local leaders have formally appealed to the government for legislative intervention, demanding that the plant adhere to its social obligations toward the community in which it operates.
The community’s grievances center on the factory’s failure to mitigate pollution and the absence of meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. “We expected this factory to contribute to our well-being, but instead, it’s making life harder,” said a concerned resident. Community members are calling for investment in local infrastructure, healthcare, and education to offset the negative effects of industrial activity.
While the factory’s potential economic benefits, such as job creation, have been touted by City Builders Liberia, many in the community feel they have been overlooked. Residents are particularly worried about the long-term health risks of increased air pollution, with children and the elderly being especially vulnerable. Noise pollution from the factory’s machinery has also disrupted daily life, causing stress and concern among local families.
Community leaders have urged the government to ensure that companies like STEEL FORCE LLC meet their corporate responsibilities. In many parts of the world, such factories implement CSR programs that benefit the surrounding areas, such as building roads, and healthcare centers, or supporting educational programs. PAPACO residents believe these initiatives would help balance the negative effects of industrial activity in their residential neighborhoods.
In response to the concerns, City Builders Liberia referred our inquiries to Eric Filor Nagbe Sr., their Tax and Statutory Advisor. Nagbe clarified the company’s position, stating, “Not all businesses have agreements with the Government of Liberia that require them to carry out corporate social responsibilities. Our primary obligation is to pay legal taxes, and the government’s responsibility is to provide basic social services such as security, roads, and utilities.”
Nagbe also emphasized that STEEL FORCE LLC does not extract natural resources from PAPACO, importing all its raw materials instead. He further noted that the company has no special investment agreement with the government obligating them to hire locally or engage in community-specific initiatives.
However, the community remains steadfast in its demands for greater accountability and government oversight. As PAPACO grapples with the factory’s environmental impact, the call for a balance between industrial growth and community welfare continues to grow louder.
The debate over corporate social responsibility highlights the broader issue of how businesses can operate in populated areas without compromising the health and well-being of residents. For PAPACO, this remains an unresolved challenge as City Builders Liberia’s steel plant continues its operations.
