Africa-Press – Liberia. Over 60 residents from the Solway Mining Company-affected communities have embarked on a continuous protest at the company facility in Nimba County.
The residents from Zor, Sehie, and Gbar Clan gathered in Zortapa Town and blocked various entrance points at the Mining Company facility, thereby halting International Logistic (INTER Log), a company reportedly sent by ArcelorMittal-Liberia to maintain the Solway Mining Facility until they (ArcelorMittal) can take over in 2030 to start mining activities when Solway Mining Company will no longer be involved, as explained by a source to our Nimba County correspondent.
Speaking to reporter Sam Geh, Speaker for Zor, Sehie, and Gbar Advocacy group, said they want Solway to continue its work as they initiated the construction of elementary schools for the affected communities, provided hand pumps, launched an agriculture program, and opened skill training, mainly in tailoring, with over two hundred girls from various affected communities attending, including the construction of waiting rooms for pregnant women, among other projects.
He stated that these projects undertaken by Solway Mining Company have come to a standstill without any accountability, and the citizens were not informed about the status of these projects.
“We, the affected communities, were not informed about the coming of INTER Log taking over Solway Mining Company. This is why we are demanding an explanation. We don’t want ArcelorMittal to take control of the mountains. Instead, we want competition in the mining business, more job opportunities, and improved living conditions for affected communities,” he added.
Geh told our correspondent that their decision to block the various facilities was based on a lack of information towards the affected communities.
Our Nimba County correspondent has gathered reports that ArcelorMittal-Liberia will officially take over the Solway Mining Company facility in 2030. Ahead of such a move, the company provided 17.5 million United States dollars, with 8 million USD of that amount being provided to Solway, a Russian mining company. The government of President George Weah received some cash from the 17.5 million United States dollars, while the rest went to the management of Solway.
The aggrieved affected communities’ non-stop unlawful activities, according to them, are expected to last for a long period until their demands are met.
Addressing reporters, Nimba County Inspector Mack Gblinwon, Karnplay Police Commander, alongside Mr. Amos S. Yini, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Atlantic and Protective Guard Service Inc., jointly held a meeting with the aggrieved citizens and called for a roundtable discussion between the managements of both companies on Friday of next week. They mandated them to remove the roadblocks at the various facilities of Solway Mining Company.Our correspondent said the recent unlawful activities bring to five the demonstrations carried out against Solway. A few weeks ago, the affected communities deployed country devils at the facility on Solway Mining Company, thereby preventing INTER Log from approaching the facility.
When contacted, the management of Solway Mining Company told our correspondent that they are expected to hold a press conference to respond to the concerns of the aggressive citizens. A few days back, International Logistic (INTER Log) provided three cows to the three affected clans to allow them to operate.
The affected communities claim that they are not aware of INTER Log taking over Solway. They explained that they want both companies to have a roundtable discussion before they can carry out operations. The three cows, along with 15 bags of rice and 400 USD to each clan, were given in early November to allow the company to operate.
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