BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY — Nimba County Superintendent, Kou Meapeh Gono has emphasized the need to revise Liberia Mining Law, Revenue Sharing Law, and Local Governance Act. In remarks, Thursday, 5 June 2025, during the formal inaugural ceremony of ArcelorMittal’s 1.4 billion United States Dollars Concentrator Plant, Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono stated: “The conditions that justified many of the compromises in the original Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) have changed.”
Supt. Gono’saso called for action in enforcing country’s labor law — urging President Boakai to rescue the country by ensuring full compliance of the original Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) in Phase II of ArcelorMittal Liberia expansion deal.
She emphasized that Liberia is no longer a post-conflict nation in recovery — testament by a stable democracy that has held four peaceful presidential elections and transitions of power.
Supt. Gono advocated that it is now time Liberian government revised agreements that reflect the country’s progress and the rightful aspirations of the next future generations. “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,” the Nimba Legislative Superintendent asserted.
She also stressed the significance of local voices inclusivity in MDA negotiation — pleading with President Boakai that the time is now for local authorities and affected communities to have a seat at the table during the review and extension of MDA with AML.”Apply a bottom-to- top approach in shaping mineral agreements — where local realities and aspirations are fully integrated into national decisions which empowers the county administration,” she averred.
As part of a plan to build a stronger collaboration for improved development, Supt. Gono called on AML to support her administration’s development agenda through timely provision of funds to the county.
She further noted the significance to abide by the Public Management Laws and the Local Government Act of 2018 laws that provide that the heads of counties manage all public finances and execute the development agenda throughout the counties.
As operations expand and production intensifies, Supt. Gono wants increased 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,” she averred. This increase, according to her should correspond to the scale of operations and directly support improved infrastructure, education, healthcare, job training, and economic empowerment for our citizens.
At the same time, Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono challenged young people to prepare for the job market — enhancing their employability and developing both their hard and soft skills is essential. “To our young people, this plant is a doorway to opportunity. But doors must be walked through with preparation,” she noted. She said as they advocate for young Liberians technical expertise in the labour force, it is also important that young people be prepared to demonstrate their ability to contribute positively and possess skills that align with the changing demands of the labour market.
“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,” she asserted. Showcasing these skills, she said enables them to stand out in a highly competitive job market, building their confidence and readiness for the workplace. While still on the podium, Supt. Gono advised youths of Nimba County to stop protest and embrace dialogue.
Her comment came at the time when a group of young people of Nimba under the auspices “AML Must Go” campaigners besieged the entry of Mount Tokadeh — AML’s concession area on Thursday to petition President Boakai who have gone to dedicate the company’s 1.4 billion United States Dollars Concentrator Plant to not enter any new agreement with the steel company. Addressing the grave concerns of the protesters, Supt. Gono acknowledged the frustrations driving the call for protest but highlighted the potential for economic sabotage and national instability that such actions could incite.
She urged protesters to cease demonstration and pursue dialogue to prevent it further destruction and loss of life. Supt. Gono then reminded President Boakai: “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”, she said.
The Superintendent added, “Most of the young people raising these issues are not 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.”
In a renewal of hope, she assured people of Nimba her leadership’s readiness to work with the youths, the County Legislative Caucus, and AML to ensure that their concerns are heard and solutions are found.
“We have been speaking with Michel, the CEO of AML and he is doing well. We trust that he is committed to sitting with us and finding solutions for the young people and the Communities,” Supt. Gonlo her powerful remarks.
On Thursday, Liberia’s long-standing private investor leading iron ore production officially dedicated a state-of-the-art iron ore Concentrator facility at it mining site — Mount Tokadeh in Zolowee, Nimba County District #3, marking a transformative milestone in its Phase II expansion project. The high-profile event was attended by Liberia President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, ArcelorMittal Executive Chairman Lakshmi Mittal, cabinet officials, Nimba County Administration, traditional leaders, and hundreds of locals in the concession area.
The modern iron ore Concentrator Plant constructed approximately cost 1.4 billion United States Dollars — the first of its kind in West Africa is designed to upgrade low-grade hematite ore to high-grade magnetite concentrate with more than 66% iron content. The facility is expected to triple Liberia’s iron ore output from 5 million to 20 million tonnes annually by 2025, positioning the country as a key exporter of high-grade ore in the global steel supply chain.
Nimba Legislative Caucus unhappy:
Amid its US$1.4 billion Concentration Plan, major stakeholders in the county are bitter and silently protesting against ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations in the county. In solidarity with many protests against ArcelorMittal, the Nimba Legislative Caucus has pledged to resist ArcelorMittal’s operations unless the demands of the people of Nimba are addressed.
Senator Nya Twayen criticized ArcelorMittal Liberia for investing $1 billion in a new plant while Yekepa continues to suffer from neglected infrastructure, poor roads, and a lack of community benefits.
Like him, Rep. Musa Hassan Bility condemned the government for paying death ears to Nimba Legislative Caucus position, deeming it disrespectful and a threat to fair negotiations regarding the ArcelorMittal Mineral Development Agreement (MDA). The Nimba County Legislative Caucus has outlined key non-negotiable demands that must be met before the renewal of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s agreement. These include full pavement of the Sanniquellie-Yekepa road, which is vital for transportation and economic development, Completion and relocation of George Waye Harley Hospital Sanniquellie, ensuring it is fully equipped and functional to meet local healthcare needs and Regular maintenance of roads in affected communities, with ArcelorMittal committing to maintaining major and feeder roads in its concession area throughout the year.
Others are Improvement of education and healthcare infrastructure, including upgrades to schools and clinics in areas impacted by ArcelorMittal operations and enhanced housing conditions in Yekepa, requiring ArcelorMittal to stop housing workers in containers and renovate existing housing units; failure to comply may result in government intervention and Meaningful employment opportunities for qualified Nimbaians, particularly in managerial and decision-making positions within ArcelorMittal’s operations.
These demands, among others, were highlighted in a keynote speech delivered by Senator Nya D. Twayen during the recent UNICCO National Convention in the United States.
