Nimba citizens want ArcelorMittal amendment rejected
A group under the banner Collaboration of Nimba Citizens Thursday, 2 December 2021, petitioned the Legislature, calling on lawmakers to reject the third proposed amendment to the Mineral Development Agreement between the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal. Reading the petition, the Chairman of the Disabled Community of Nimba, Gabriel T. Soh, said the…
By Bridgett Milton
A group under the banner Collaboration of Nimba Citizens (CNC) Thursday, 2 December 2021, petitioned the Legislature, calling on lawmakers to reject the third proposed amendment to the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal.
Reading the petition, the Chairman of the Disabled Community of Nimba, Gabriel T. Soh, said the concessionaire has neglected compliance with about 80% of the provision of the current 2005 MDA and the August 2013 amendment.
He said the company has neglected and failed to comply with the concessionaire, including education, development, employment, and health safety.
“The Executive Branch of our Government has approved said amendment without due consideration for the welfare of the citizens of Nimba County in particular and citizens of other counties and Liberia in general,” the petitioner noted.
According to him, the group has submitted four separate petitions to the Nimba County Caucus.
But Mr. Soh noted that up to now, their caucus has not provided any formal response to the petitions.
The petitioners categorically denounce, reject and object to any extension of the MDA with AML beyond its 25 years contract term which ends 2024.
They call on lawmakers to reject the proposed amendment until concessionaires immediately begin the renovation and modernization of the iron ore port in Buchanan to increase its harbor handling capacity.
They also demand that the annual financial assistance to the University of Liberia as specified in Article 11 of the MDA be increased from US$50,000 to US$500,000. They also demand that 30 percent of the amount be given to Nimba County University College to support its Science and Engineering education.
The petitioners also want the concessionaire to construct a modern hospital fully equipped with modern health equipment and qualified medical professionals and other healthcare workers to provide medical treatment for employees and their dependents in the concession area.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the House of Representatives, the Chairman on Claims and Petition, Gonpue L. Kargon said he is going to make sure that the petition reaches the full Plenary.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/senate-to-visit-arcelormittals-facilities/
