President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has inaugurated the much talked about billion-dollar iron ore concentration plant in a landmark occasion held at Mount Tokadeh in Yekepa, Nimba County.
However, the event was blunted by protests and expressions of frustration among the citizens over ArcelorMittal Liberia’s failure to carry out development and provide job opportunities.
The occasion, held on June 5, 2025, brought the attention of the entire government, including President Joseph Boakai, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Speaker Richard Koon, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence and other lawmakers and cabinet ministers. Only those from the Judiciary were not present.
President Boakai began by describing the occasion as a joyous day, given the fact that the company had demonstrated confidence for its 20 years of investment.
He praised the members of the diplomatic corps for standing with the country, adding, “we are going to launch something that will benefit this country.”
He praised everybody who made the investment possible, including the technicians, the Legislature and all those who are working with the country, especially those with the newly dedicated plants.
“This is something that we should embrace and hold special, because this investment means a lot to many people,” he said.
President Boakai noted that, “if 3,000 people are employed in Africa, you just multiply it by 20 and see the outcome.”
He expressed pride in the investment, which he said would touch the lives of the people.
“We can assure you that whatever comes out of here is for the benefit of this country and the younger generation of this country,” he said.
He explained that the government does not want any destruction, as the government will do her best to hold to the agreement they signed and the benefits that will accrue to the people and the community.
Many wrongly believed that President Boakai’s June 5 visit to the concession was to sign an extension to the Mineral Development Agreement, which is expected to expire in 2029.
Prior to the arrival of the President, some youth under the banner ‘Concerned Nimba Citizens’, first took to the streets of Ganta in protest, then extended their action to Sanniquellie and onward to the junction of Mount Tokadeh, near Yekepa.
They carried placards, which said, “our people deserve better, AML must go; Not giving our youth jobs, AML must go; Nimba youth says, AML must go,” the placards read.
It is not clear whether the President made any stop to address the concerns of the protesting youth, but during his brief remarks, he urged the youth to desist from causing any trouble or destruction.
“We believed that the President came to sign the MDA, and it is going to be a big disappointment for the county,” said a motorcyclist.
“This road was rehabilitated overnight, because the President was coming, but nothing much is happening in this concession since AML took over 20 years ago,” he added.
“Despite the construction of the iron ore concentration plant, we don’t want the government to renew the MDA,” said one Musa, a resident of Ganta.
The plant is expected to create thousands of jobs, but there is still resentment among the citizens, regarding the fate of AML’s MDA renewal.
However, the Executive Chairman of ArcelorMittal, Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, said the presence of the company in Liberia has brought a change to the country at large.
He said, when he visited Yekepa years ago, there was no light, no good road, but now people are benefiting from these facilities.
He explained that the company has invested over US$3 billion and the investment will create about 8,000 jobs, benefiting over 200k persons.
Supt. Meapeh Gono urged the youth to seek dialogue and education that will empower them to gain job opportunities with the company. She also called on the company to listen to the plights of the citizens, especially the youth.
President Boakai and his entourage arrived at the concession site by 1:35 pm, but the indoor briefing from AML executives delayed the main program, denying most of those listed in the program, including the legislative caucuses of the three affected counties, from speaking.
President Boakai and his entourage, including the Speaker, Senate Pro-Tempore, the Vice President and some senior cabinet officials, ended their trip apparently at the Ecolodge up Mount Nimba, where accordingly, a special program was held in his honor.
The Iron ore concentration plant is said to be the largest in Africa and reportedly guaranteed for 50 years.
Despite some dissatisfaction with the operations of AML, about 500 Liberians have been trained in various departments of the plant, with over 300 already employed to work or manage the plant.
