By Thomas Domah, Nimba County
More than five hundred farmers and farm owners in the operational areas of steel giant ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) particularly in Sehyi and Yarmien Administrative districts have embarked on a weeklong demonstration in Nimba County.
The aggrieved farmers gathered in huge numbers, erecting roadblock and preventing access to the company’s premises in demand of payment for crops and farmland allegedly destroyed by the entity in its operation.
The protest has obstructed free movement of vehicles belonging to the company, as protesters maintain they would not leave until their demands are met.
The aggrieved farmers accused AML of reneging in paying for their crops despite counting costs since April 2023, which they put at more than US$5,000.
Speaking to reporters at the company’s premises near Gbapa Town, the spokesperson for the farmers, Jimmy Bullah, said they have engaged the Management of ArcelorMittal and county administrations, but there is no redress to their demand.
According to him, the company has already paid some farmers, but is contending some of the crops in question are pre-mature crops and would not pay.
The Management of ArcelorMittal Liberia is yet to comment on claims by the protesting farmers. Editing by Jonathan Browne
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