Based on intervention from Senators, mainly from the western region, the Ministry of Public works has suspended the Road User Permit (RUP – 220620-004) issued Western Cluster Limited (WCL) for the commercial hauling of iron ore on the Bomi Hills to Freeport of Monrovia Road corridor. Recently, several members of the Liberian Senate have alarmed and termed as a “fiasco” the dismal operations of Western Cluster Liberia Limited (WCL) in the country, which is leading to the loss of lives, destruction of public infrastructures and the depletion of the country’s resources to enrich foreigners. In a report the senate said, it has observed that WCL has proven “beyond all reasonable doubts” that it is incapacitated to implement the agreement it signed with the government. According to Senators, the company has been “dragging” to construct a railway and a port in Grand Cape Mount County for the transporting of iron ores which is stipulated in the MDA but is ceaselessly using the roads to do so. They also observed that the MPW restored the road user permit of the company without the conduct of an environmental impact assessment that is critical to remedy environmental consequences and mitigating the effects or safety hazard the trucking of iron ore, through the populated as a and other counties pose to citizens. In a statement issued by the Public Works Ministry dated July 12, 2024 , the suspension of the Permit predicated upon a communication received from the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA); which amongst other things, indicated that, the environmental permit issued for class A Exploitation and Processing of Iron Ore Phase IBI (4MTPA) DSO/Concentrate), which also covers the usage of the road corridor authorized by the Road User Permit, has since expired on June 5, 2024; which is a violation against the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia. The expiration of the environmental permit issued by EPA for over thirty (30) days without renewal is in violation of Section VI (G) of the Road User Permit (RUP- 220620-004) issued and approved by the Ministry and accepted by Western Cluster Limited on June 20, 2022 and June 24, 2022 respectively; which states that, G”. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS: The holder shall in connection with the use of the roads authorized by this permit comply with all applicable environmental regulations and laws to be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia” The Public Works Ministry statement also said: “Moreover, the use of the road corridor without a renewed environmental permit poses severe risk to the health and safety of road users and the environment. As such, this leaves the Ministry with no other option but to again suspend the Road User Permit with immediate effect pursuant to Section VI B() the Road User Permit, which states that, B.” IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION: The responsible official may immediately suspend this permit in whole or in part when necessary to protect public health or safety of the environment . “In addition, further be informed that, this suspension will remain in full effect until it is demonstrated through documentary evidence that, Western Cluster Limited is in compliance with the Environmental and Management Laws of the Republic of Liberia. If these violations are not cured within the next 60 days, the Road User Permit will be terminated.
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