Superintendent Kou Meapeah Gono has called on the world giant steel company to try and uphold their commitment to the people of Nimba.
Presenting a powerful message before the President of Liberia at Mount Tokadeh on June 5, 2025, Superintendent Gono called on the company to know that agreements signed or revised should be respected by the company.
She appreciated the company for being the first to invest in Liberia since the end of the war.
Speaking on the concentrator plan, Madam Gono noted that the investment will bring a change to the county’s economy.
“Today, we celebrate not just an industrial facility, but a milestone in Liberia’s development journey. The commissioning of this concentrator plant marks the transition from direct ore exportation to value addition — a key step toward a more robust, sustainable, and inclusive economy.”
She commended ArcelorMittal Liberia for its vision and long-term commitment to Liberia.
“Let us not forget: it was in 2005, when our nation was still fragile and emerging from the ashes of civil conflict, that ArcelorMittal became the first major multinational investor to believe in Liberia’s future. That was a bold and historic decision.
For that early trust — and the continuous partnership since — we say thank you”.
“A New Day, New Expectations
However, as Liberia evolves, so too must the agreements that guide our extractive sector. The conditions that justified many of the compromises in the original Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) have changed. Liberia is no longer a post-conflict nation in recovery — we are a stable democracy that has held four peaceful presidential elections and transitions of power.
It is now time that our new or revised agreements reflect this progress and the rightful aspirations of our people.
Enforcing Mining Laws: Liberians First
We respectfully urge that the current and future frameworks for mining operations give full effect to Liberia’s labor and mining laws, particularly those that give preference to qualified Liberians over foreign hires.
Local Voices in MDA Negotiations
We also believe the time has come for local authorities and affected communities to have a seat at the table during the review or extension of the MDA.
The Revenue Sharing Law and the Local Government Act have laid the foundation for a more decentralized and inclusive governance model. Let us, therefore, apply a bottom-up approach in shaping mineral agreements — where local realities and aspirations are fully integrated into national decisions, which empower the county administration. The Superintendent oversees all finances of the county and leads the President’s development agenda in the county.
We strongly call on AML to support your development agenda by abiding by the Public Financial Management Laws and the Local Government Act of 2018, which provide that the heads of counties manage all public finances and execute the development agenda throughout the counties.
No concession has the right to do so in any form using public money, as was done in the past.
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Call for Expansion
As operations expand and production intensifies, so too should the benefits to host communities. We therefore strongly recommend an increase in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or County Social Development Fund allocation to the concession counties during the next round of MDA discussions.
This increase should correspond to the scale of operations and directly support improved infrastructure, education, healthcare, job training, and economic empowerment for our citizens.
A Word to Our Youth
To our young people: This plant is a doorway to opportunity. But doors must be walked through with preparation. Let us commit to learning the skills, acquiring the discipline, and demonstrating the maturity required to earn and keep the jobs that this expansion will bring.
Violence and protest do not solve problems — dialogue, skills, and strategy do.
Mr. President, many of the young people raising concerns about AML have genuine grievances. Some of these issues are shared by citizens in concession areas across Liberia.
We are working to sit with them — and we encourage AML to engage with them as well. In fact, we have proposed some of their concerns to be incorporated into the new MDA.
Most of the young people raising these issues are not in opposition. On the contrary, many of them are your own partisans and supporters. People get away with misinforming the President — saying these young people are opposition. No! That is not true.
Their issues are with AML, not with you, Mr. President. Therefore, we respectfully ask that you ensure that some of their grievances are addressed in the new MDA before it receives your signature.”