Lawmaker wants ArcelorMittal summoned

Nimba County District #3 Rep. Joseph N. Somwarbi is calling on the House of Representatives to summon the ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) Chief Executive Officer over the company’s alleged deliberate refusal to honor his (Somwarbi’s) request for an acquaintance meeting with the concession aimed at addressing local workers’ welfare.

Rep. Somwarbi raises concerns about the company’s status of operations within the concession area in his district. He told his colleagues on Capitol Hill that he wrote ArcelorMittal management on February 20, 2018, requesting a formal acquaintance meeting, but says he only received a call that the meeting schedule coincided with some other engagements with Rep. Mathew Joe in Buchanan.

Rep. Somwarbi complains that he further requested for a formal meeting with ArcelorMittal’s management at the company’s Yekepa offices with specific agenda proposed on March 5, 2018.

But he narrates that there was again no witten response given him, except that he was called and told about a meeting with the Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy.

He informs his colleagues that an agreement was signed for the period of 25 years and is subject to renewal for the period not exceeding 25 years with conditions specified in Article III Section 2 a,b & c.

He notes that the operations have commenced in accordance with the agreement over 10 years, but complains that the assets taken over by the company as specified in Appendix F have been deserted.

He claims that up to now, ArcelorMittal uses mobil portable generators in very few quarters of the area as power source, adding that the central workshop and warehouse are yet to be renovated.

Rep. Somwarbi says pre-fabricated tank is being used at these compounds and the land strip is not even considered as a need. He observes that less than 20 percent of the housing units are rehabilitated while few of the units are partially renovated by some staff for unconducive living.

He concludes that he wants the company to come and provide the current status of its operations with respect to the conditions of its employees.

By Bridgett Milton–Edited by Winston W. Parley