ArcelorMittal reaffirms commitment

International steel giant, ArcelorMittal has reaffirmed its commitment to constructing the Ganta- Yekepa highway. 

The management of the company, in a release,  said the work has already begun as scheduled and will continue as promised. 

“There is no change to the road commitment by the Company, and we are working with all stakeholders towards meeting this end,” said Joe Mathews, General Manager for External Affairs, ArcelorMittal Mining based in London. “We continue to make revisions to ensure that the Liberian operations remain viable at the current iron ore price level, but this is a promise that is very important to us and one we made to the people of Nimba. We have no intention of stopping this road project,” Matthews reaffirmed.

According to him, ArcelorMittal Liberia signed a contract in 2005 with the Liberian government (amended in 2006) in which it promised to be a partner in Liberia’s growth and development. 

Since then, according to the release, ArcelorMittal Liberia has not wavered on this promise, and has continued to be a trusted development partner, often going beyond the Mineral Development Agreement or MDA, even during the most challenging conditions.

Mr. Matthews is quoting as saying that the steel giant has a long-term commitment to Liberia, emphasizing that the company has been present in Liberia since 2005, and was the first to invest in the country after the civil war. 

He said to date, it has invested $1.7bn in its operations in Liberia, including $500m in rebuilding local infrastructure, as well as health and education facilities.

ArcelorMittal, according to Matthews,  responded vigorously to the Ebola crisis, working to ensure the safety of its employees and contractors, and their families and communities contributing medical, financial and other resources. 

He also noted that the Company played the leading role in mobilizing companies operating in West Africa to accelerate the international response to the crisis. He indicated that many years of hard work and finances have been invested in the country and its people, reaffirming the company’s commitment to Liberia.