-Demand Overhead Bridges
BY: Shallon S. Gonlor
NIMBA COUNTY – Hundreds of thousands of Nimba citizens, particularly those living near ArcelorMittal’s railways, have raised concerns about disruptions to their movements caused by the company’s train operations, causing roadblock.
The world steel company has transported billions of iron ore from its concession area in Nimba to the port of Buchanan, but citizens living along its railway lack accessible roads.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, a recent disruption incident at one of ArcelorMittal’s tracks on Airfield Community Road in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, highlighted citizens’ deep-seated frustration with the company’s perceived neglect of their livelihoods.
As they experienced railway roadblock, scores of disenchanted citizens, motorcyclists, and students expressed total frustration over the lack of tangible benefits from ArcelorMittal’s operations, demanding overhead bridges.
Despite ArcelorMittal’s extensive extraction of iron ore, local communities claim that the company’s operations have not improved their living conditions.
They demand greater accountability and benefits from the company’s operations. Senator Nya D. Twayen Jr. of Nimba County has also criticized ArcelorMittal for violating its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the government of Liberia.
Local communities have raised concerns about employment disparities, alleging that a disproportionate number of workers are hired from other counties and foreign lands, leaving capable individuals in Nimba unemployed.
This has fueled frustration among residents, who feel that they are not benefiting from the company’s operations.
Community Demands
The community is demanding that ArcelorMittal build concrete overhead bridges at every community junction in the country, providing direct access to their homes, schools, marketplaces, as well as job sites.
According to them, this will further prevent disruptions and death risks to their lives due to constantly crossing the railway track. They also want the company to prioritize hiring local talent and provide tangible benefits to the community.
Residents are demanding that ArcelorMittal build concrete overhead bridges at community junctions to prevent disruptions and ensure safe passage.
According to Saye Tokpah, a motorcyclist, “We are fed up with this nonsense from our government and ArcelorMittal Liberia. Every day, we are embarrassed to run our traffic across this railway track. We need a solution from AML to build us an overhead bridge.”
The lack of infrastructure has significantly impacted daily life, particularly for students and motorcyclists.
Austin Paye, a student, noted, “School has resumed, and our arriving late sometimes on our respective school campuses is a result of the passing of the train, mostly for those of us that live across the track.”
Ma Marie Gono, a single mother and marketer, added, “This thing is hard to talk about… but what this company should do for us is to build overhead bridges for our easy movement.”
Tensions between ArcelorMittal and local communities are not new. In June 2025, aggrieved workers of Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO), a contractor for ArcelorMittal, blocked the rail line and set the train track ablaze, protesting unpaid benefits and poor working conditions.
The incident highlighted the need for better communication and resolution of grievances between the company and local stakeholders.
As ArcelorMittal continues to operate in Nimba County, the company needs to engage with local communities and address their concerns.
Recently, the Joint Legislative Committee on MDA Compliance emphasized the importance of constructive engagement and measured leadership to find solutions to the challenges posed by ArcelorMittal’s operations.
