ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Community Relations Team in Bong County has stepped up its rail safety outreach with renewed urgency, intensifying a campaign aimed at protecting lives and reinforcing the company’s zero-tolerance stance on unsafe behavior around its railway corridor.
The initiative, which forms part of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s broader commitment to operational safety and community well-being, saw the Community Relations team actively engaging residents in a rail safety campaign, enlightening them about the dangers of walking, sitting, and playing on the railroad. The effort underscores the company’s strong emphasis on rail safety as a critical priority, particularly as train movements continue to increase along the corridor.
Joined by members of the Local Consultative Forum (LCF), the team on April 2 and 3 visited two key communities, Gbarlorkpala and Zoweintaa, strategically engaging residents during busy market days. Messages were delivered in both English and local languages to ensure maximum understanding and impact across diverse audiences.
In Gbarlorkpala (Kilometer 123), the head of the Local Consultative Forum, Moses Dolo, expressed his appreciation for the campaign, noting that residents often require consistent reminders to avoid unsafe behaviors near the railroad. According to him, continuous engagement is essential in reinforcing safety awareness.
Mr. Dolo, who led the campaign to the market ground, explained in the Kpelle language the dangers of sitting, lying, and walking on the railroad. He delivered a stark warning to residents: “This railroad is not for playing, sitting or relaxing. Today’s train does not have a heavy sound, and when it reaches you unaware, it cannot stop right away to allow you leave. So, please leave the railroad because when the train hit you and die, you will be gone and never return.”
Gbarlorkpala, which is also home to Bassa-speaking residents, benefited from further outreach as another LCF member, Sundaygar, explained in Bassa the risks associated with being on the railroad. He emphasized that the rail line is increasingly busy due to frequent train movements and urged parents to take greater responsibility in guiding their children.
He warned parents to carefully supervise children when crossing the rail and to stop them from playing on it, reinforcing the campaign’s core message that safety must begin at home and within the community.
Other participants, including James D. Momo, Naomi Vah, and Elijah Kangar, joined the campaign, touring the market grounds while broadcasting AML’s safety jingle, a familiar audio message that repeatedly urges people to stay away from the tracks. The use of the jingle, combined with face-to-face engagement, reflects the company’s multi-layered approach to rail safety awareness.
In Zoweintaa, the campaign continued with equal intensity. Reeves P. Dolo and his LCF team joined Community Relations Supervisor, Albertha Dianue, to tour the bustling market grounds, again delivering rail safety messages in both English and local dialects to ensure inclusivity.
LCF Chairman Reeves P. Dolo, Zoweintaa Market Superintendent Andrew Sologbay, and Moses Yoko all collaborated with Ms. Dianue to clearly explain the dangers associated with the railway, reinforcing the message that safety is a shared responsibility between the company and the communities.
Ms. Dianue, addressing motorcyclists directly, issued a strong caution against risky behavior at rail crossings. “Rushing to cross when the train is coming is not good for you and your passengers,” she said. “You people are precious to us because you are easing transportation constraints we face, and we do not want anything evil to happen to you. Please bear patience and let the train pass. Furthermore, take your time to ride on the narrow roads to avoid and prevent accident.”
Her remarks highlighted ArcelorMittal Liberia’s recognition of the vital role motorcyclists play in local transportation, while also stressing that their safety remains a top priority for the company.
Earlier, Ms. Dianue told LCF members that AML is intensifying the campaign as part of a deliberate and sustained effort to prevent any rail-related incidents. She emphasized that the company does not want any situation in which a resident or any individual suffers injury or loss of life due to train operations.
She further commended the LCF members for their continued cooperation and dedication in spreading awareness, noting that community partnership remains central to achieving lasting safety outcomes.
The ongoing campaign reflects ArcelorMittal Liberia’s deepening commitment to rail safety, not only as an operational requirement but as a moral responsibility to the communities along its railway. By combining consistent engagement, local language communication, and collaboration with community leaders, the company continues to reinforce a clear message: the railroad is a high-risk zone, and safety must always come first.
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