LIBERIA: ArcelorMittal, Bea Mountain Taken to Task

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The Executive Director of the Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD), Dan T. Saryee, has taken two mining giants – ArcelorMittal Liberia and Bea Mountain to task for doing little or nothing to the benefit of ordinary Liberians.

Mr. Saryee asserted that the failure of these companies to showcase any impactful project that benefits people within their concession areas despite being here for almost two decades is worrisome and as such, there is a need for concern.

Specifically for Mittal, he decried the company’s inability to rehabilitate facilities that it inherited.

The IREDD boss was speaking Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at an inception meeting for the project title: “Strengthening the Transparency and Accountability in the Natural Resource Management of Liberia” held at its office in Sinkor, Monrovia.

“If we are not careful we will leave nothing for the unborn generation. There is a need for reflection on the history of our natural resources. MITTAL, for example, has been unable to rehabilitate facilities that they inherited. This is worrisome. LAMCO, Bong Mines made meaningful contributions to the country when they operated here.”

“We need to learn from how people use their resources in other countries and are benefiting them. These companies report that they get nothing from our soil, but they are still fighting to renew their contracts despite repeatedly announcing zero bank balance. Liberians are struggling why billionaires are making use of our resources.”

“We must open our eyes to how the laws are made to help us. The wealth should not be for themselves only, but for us who are the actual owners. We need to open our eyes to Publish What You Pay process,” Saryee asserted as he proposed the need for the review of the country’s mineral laws.

Accordingly, giving the overview, objective and outcomes of the project, Madam Mariyata Jabateh, Project Lead of IREDD, explained that project seeks to review, evaluate and conduct an analysis of existing laws and policies governing the extractive sector in Liberia, carry out robust policy advocacy campaigns for policy reform action,and dissemination of LEITI’s reports.

She said it is also intended to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations, PWYP Liberia Coalition to support gender mainstreaming, energy transition, and increase public awareness and sensitization on extractive related issues.

The project, she furthered, is also geared to promote citizens’ participation in natural resource governance processes and create awareness of the County Social
Development Fund (CSDF).

“It will also create a platform where marginalized groups in the extractive communities in the project counties to engage with stakeholders to better understand the management of Liberia Extractive Industries.”

“Part of the project’s goal is that it will strengthen the capacities of civil society organizations, especially members of the PWYP Coalition-Liberia, to increase public awareness and sensitization on energy transition and the extractive sector. It will conduct analysis of Bea Mountain and Arcelor Mittal MDAs and proffer recommendations for reforms,” Madam Jabateh disclosed.

For the expected outcomes, there will be increased number of companies declaring to LEITI thereby enhancing transparency and accountability extractive sector.

It is also expected that there will increased civil society organizations /PWYP Liberia members’ advocacy capacity.

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