A FrontPage Africa report reveals that over $10 million USD has gone unaccounted for since 2018. These funds are primarily from the County Scrap and the County Social Development Fund provided by ArcelorMittal Liberia.
By Franklin Doloquee, contributing writer
ArcelorMittal-Liberia, which began operations in Nimba County in 2006 after signing an agreement with the Liberian government in 2005, has been contributing $1.5 million USD annually to the County’s Social Development Fund. While Grand Bassa County receives $100,000 USD and Bong County $500,000 USD annually from ArcelorMittal’s operations, Nimba County, as the host of the mining company, has received a total of $24 million from 2006 to 2023.
However, the impact of these funds on the lives of Nimba residents, including affected communities, is minimal. Despite these substantial contributions, communities continue to suffer from a lack of safe drinking water, poor living conditions, inadequate healthcare facilities, and other critical needs. According to reports, 20% of these funds are intended for affected communities, yet they have received little to no benefit from the agreement.
In more than ten of the most affected communities, residents are still forced to fetch drinking water from nearby creeks. The absence of health facilities and widespread unemployment nationwide add to their plight.
Due to alleged neglect and a lack of development, citizens in Gbe-Dru (District 9) and Kparblee (District 6) are also affected, with little to no visible development in these areas.
The County and its lawmakers are accused of treating these funds as “elephant meat,” allegedly distributing them among themselves. During the administration of former Nimba County Superintendent Edith Gongloe-Wehyee, the County paid for 22 pieces of earth-moving equipment, with significant amounts also spent on building toilets and hosting County Meet and Independence Day celebrations during former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration. Instead of the government providing funds for such events, the County reportedly borrowed the money, further depleting its resources.
A General Auditing Commission (GAC) report implicated former Superintendent Edith Gongloe-Wehyee in significant corruption. During elections, former Senator, now Vice President Jeremiah Koung, used the GAC report against Gongloe-Wehyee in his campaign, leading to her electoral defeat. However, as Senator, Koung allegedly engaged in similar corrupt practices, awarding contracts to his supporters, including current Representative Saye Sylvester Mianah of District 8.
FrontPage Africa has learned that from 2018 to 2023, ArcelorMittal provided an additional $9 million USD to Nimba County, bringing the total to $28 million USD over the past 18 years. A significant portion of these funds has been spent on sporting activities, particularly the County Meet, where large sums are reportedly spent on achieving minor victories. The County Meet has become one of the most corrupt areas, with business owners in Ganta and Sanniquellie allegedly vying for appointments by the County Superintendent, who, in turn, receives substantial sums from the County Steering Committee chairman.
What role has self-proclaimed “godfather” Senator Prince Johnson played in this? FrontPage Africa has not been able to independently verify allegations that past leaders have distributed $2 million USD to Senator Prince Johnson as a form of protection against future scrutiny. When contacted, Senator Johnson did not respond to phone calls.
Another area of interest where large sums have allegedly been misappropriated is the Project Management Committee (PMC). The Project Management Committees (PMCs) in the 15 counties of Liberia are established to oversee the implementation of various development projects at the county level. ArcelorMittal has no influence or authority on the PMC or its decisions. These PMC typically consist of a chairman, controller, and treasurer who are elected by delegates from the districts that make up the county council.
The PMC manages all county projects, including corporate social responsibilities paid by companies and money allotted for county development through the national budget and report to the county council sitting annually.
Recently, $1.2 million USD was allocated to Harris Y. Yeanamie, who once worked in the office of Senator Prince Yormie Johnson. During a county sitting that ended in disarray, Senator Johnson and other lawmakers supported and forced Yeanamie’s appointment as chairman of the County PMC.
Following his questionable election, $1.2 million USD from the County Social Development Fund was allocated to Yeanamie and Sam G. Ta-Kruah for repairing the County’s 22 pieces of earth-moving equipment and carrying out road rehabilitation in the 19 administrative districts. However, the funds remain unaccounted for.
Reports suggest that the money was shared among members of the PMC, along with lawmakers including District 6 Representative Dorwohn Twain Gleekia, who served as financial advisor to the PMC.
Since 2010, after former Superintendent Edith Gongloe-Wehi was dismissed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for expressing interest in running for senator, subsequent superintendents, including David Dorr Cooper and Nelson Korquoi, have allegedly been involved in the sale of the County’s scrap metal, turned over by ArcelorMittal from the former LAMCO operations in Yekepa.
FrontPage Africa has learned that over $5 million USD was generated from the sale of County scrap, but all superintendents from 2018 to 2023 allegedly sold these valuable resources. Our Nimba County correspondent has discovered that several former superintendents who allegedly profited from the sale of County scrap have reportedly built substantial properties, including homes in and outside of Liberia.
