Edith Gongloe-Weh alarms bribery at Capitol
By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
Former Nimba County Superintendent Madam Edith Gongloe-Weh alleges here that lawmakers of Nimba have received bribes from mining company Arcelor Mittal to ratify the Mineral Development Agreement signed between the company and the Government of Liberia.
Under an $800 million agreement, ArcelorMittal Liberia is seeking additional years which will enable them to operate after completion of their first 25 years signed with the Government of Liberia in 2005 but came into operation in 2006.
House of Representatives Thursday, December 16, 2021, ratified the Mineral Development Agreement with the government.
Madam Gongloe-Weh, who is currently in the United States of America, urges lawmakers of the county to return said bribery.
Writing on her Facebook page from the U.S., the former senatorial candidate also urges Nimbaians to engage national government to review the company’s operations before granting it additional years to operate in the country.
The New Dawn gathers that inhabitants of affected communities where the company operates in Nimba have decried lack of social services.
The name lack of housing and health facilities, safe drinking water, employment opportunity, and school, among others, as problems they face with the company.
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Meanwhile, chiefs and elders, including women groups have threatened not to support President George Weah, who is seeking re-election in 2023 if his government grants ArcelorMittal additional years.
An unknown person early Wednesday, December 15, 2021, set ablaze the ArcelorMittal Liberia rail from Yekepa, Nimba County, impeding normal operational activities of the company.
The incident transpired at about 5 AM between Zolowee and Sehyikinpa before reaching the provincial capital, Sanniquellie.
The attacker used tires and other materials to set ablaze the rail which caused the mining company to suspend transportation of ores Wednesday.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/arcelormittal-800m-deal-stirs-protest-at-capitol/ Editing by Jonathan Browne
