Despite growing criticism and public outcry over ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has openly commended the multinational steel giant, describing its performance in Liberia as, “extremely doing well.”
His remarks came during the official inauguration of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s new Ore Concentrator in Tokadeh, Nimba County—a project the administration believes will generate over 6,000 new jobs.
The President’s statement contradicts the wave of public dissatisfaction and concerns voiced by the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, youths, and opinion leaders, which has taken a hard stance against the potential renewal of AML’s concession agreement.
“Saying doing well will be an understatement. They are extremely doing well,” President Boakai declared, signaling his confidence in the company’s role in national development.
Hours after President Boakai praised ArcelorMittal, the Nimba Legislative Caucus vowed to resist if the people’s demands are not met.
“AML? You can dedicate another 1 bn $ plant, if the conditions laid down by the Nimba Caucus are not met we will resist renewal; what shall it profit Nimba to have a billion-dollar property built by AML in a filthy Yekepa that you have refused to renovate with a very bad road leading to said billion-dollar property; look at the muddy road leading to and around the so-called billion-dollar installation. shame; AML will have to yield to the peoples’ demands or leave; simple.” Senator Nya D. Twayen, Jr. of Nimba.
In a strongly worded statement released Thursday evening, Representative Musa Bility of Nimba County described the absence of formal invitation or consultation with the Caucus as “dangerously dismissive” and “a serious misstep” by the government. He emphasized that the snub comes only ten days after the Caucus publicly raised concerns over the transparency and fairness of ongoing MDA renegotiation processes.
