The Minister of Public Works faces intense scrutiny and criticism for its decision to allow Western Cluster Limited to increase its trucking operations from 100 to 200 trips per night, despite the company’s ongoing violations of its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government.
The Ministry’s move under Roland Lafayette Giddings has sparked outrage among lawmakers and citizens, raising serious concerns about infrastructure damage and public safety.
Senator Edwin Melvin Snow of Bomi County has voiced strong opposition to the Ministry’s decision.
In a formal request for intervention, Senator Snow highlighted the detrimental impact of the increased trucking on the already fragile St. Paul Bridge to Bomi Hills Road corridor.
“These grave violations are not only exacerbating the dire conditions of our road infrastructure but also imposing serious safety hazards for pedestrians,” Snow stated.
The Western Cluster’s Road User Permit (RJP-220620-004) was initially suspended due to the company’s failure to adhere to the terms and conditions of its MDA.
However, the Ministry of Public Works recently reinstated the permit, allowing the company to transport iron ore from Bomi Hill Mines to the Freeport of Monrovia.
In addition to restoring the permit, the Ministry instructed Western Cluster to double its fleet and trips, increasing the allowable gross load from 30 to 45 tons per truck.
Senator Snow emphasized that the increase from 100 to 200 truck trips per night is unacceptable, especially given the poor condition of the road and the damaged bridges along the corridor. “The previous government faced severe public backlash for permitting 100 trips per night. Now, under the Rescue Mission Government, we are allowing 200 trips per night. This raises serious questions about the Rescue Mission government’s commitment to accountability and public safety,” Snow remarked.
The decision to grant Western Cluster a new agreement has sparked significant public outcry.
Many Liberians feel betrayed by the government’s apparent leniency towards a company with a history of non-compliance.
The controversy has cast a shadow over President Joseph Boakai’s administration, which had previously vowed to take a hard stance against concessionaires who violate their agreements.
“The CDC-led government suffered severe criticism for allowing Western Cluster to transport iron ore 100 trips per night. Now, under a Rescue Mission government, we’re seeing even more egregious violations,” Snow pointed out during a Senate session.
He accused the Public Works Minister of acting as a “Superpower Minister” due to his unilateral handling of the issue, suggesting that the Minister’s actions undermine the administration’s credibility.
In light of these developments, Senator Snow has called for an urgent investigation by the Senate’s relevant committee to address the safety and infrastructure concerns.
“I strongly request that the Plenary take these concerns seriously and mandate a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of our people,” he urged.
This incident is part of a broader debate about the government’s approach to managing its natural resources and holding concession companies accountable.
Western Cluster’s operations have been controversial from the start, with numerous allegations of environmental damage, labor violations, and failure to meet contractual obligations.
Despite these issues, the company has continued to receive favorable treatment, leading many to question the integrity of the government’s oversight mechanisms.
The Ministry of Public Works’ decision to lift Western Cluster’s suspension and allow expanded operations starkly contrasts with President Boakai’s previous threats to shut down non-compliant companies.
Critics argue that these threats now seem more like political posturing than genuine commitments to reform.
The leniency shown to Western Cluster undermines the government’s promises of strict enforcement and accountability.
The decision to double Western Cluster’s trucking permits has exposed significant gaps in Liberia’s regulatory framework and highlighted the need for stronger oversight and enforcement.
As public and political pressure mounts, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these challenges and whether it will take meaningful action to address the widespread concerns about infrastructure, safety, and corporate accountability.
The Liberian Senate’s intervention on the other hand will be crucial in ensuring that the interests of the people are prioritized and that companies like Western Cluster are held to their contractual obligations.
The outcome of this situation will likely have lasting implications for Liberia’s governance and its approach to natural resource management.
