Yekepa, Nimba County — ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Chief Executive Officer, Michiel Van DER Merwe, has pledged to continue working with communities affected by the company’s operations to transform lives and improve living conditions through job creation and community development programs.
By D Franklin Doloquee
Speaking during an honoring ceremony by community members of Liagbala, Yarmie District Number 3 in Nimba County, Mr. Merwe said ArcelorMittal Liberia is committed to increasing employment opportunities for Liberians.
“Not every Liberian can work with the company today, but many have been employed, and we are planning to hire more,” he said, stressing that the company aims to broaden its local footprint and economic impact.
At the event, Mr. Merwe expressed his gratitude to the Liagbala Community and other affected communities for their continued cooperation and support.
He thanked residents for welcoming the company and for participating in the development initiatives launched since he became Chief Executive Officer for ArcelorMittal Liberia Operation (CEO).
Community leaders praised CEO Merwe for prioritizing community welfare alongside operational goals.
Chief Robert S. Dolo, the Chief Elder of Liagbala, described ArcelorMittal’s renewed engagement as transformative. “When the CEO first visited our community, it felt like a turning point,” Chief Dolo said. “We felt recognized and included after earlier being overlooked.”
He said the community has seen tangible change: where there were only three houses in the past, there are many homes now and families have new sources of income.
In a sign of appreciation, the people of Liagbala donated one acre of land to Mr. Merwe as a token of thanks for his continued support. The gift followed the formal honoring and “ganging” ceremony celebrating his relationship with the community.
Liagbala Women’s Leader Marietta Zoleah highlighted the improvements affecting daily life, noting better livelihoods, increased employment of women and youth, and community-managed resources.
“We are very appreciative of what the company has done and continues to do since Mr. Merwe became CEO of ArcelorMittal; our lives continue to improve,” she said.
Community youth representatives Alphanso Tweh Pyne and Clinton F. S. Gonotee provided detailed information about a community-led housing project.
Liagbala residents constructed 150 single-room housing units (referred to locally as “beds rooms”), which they handed over to ArcelorMittal Liberia.
The company, through its partner for Performance (STELO) and camp manager Emmet Van Der Merwe, now manages the facility.
Rent from those rooms, priced at fifty United States dollars each, generates roughly $15,000 per month.
Those funds are turned over to the Liagbala community and used for development projects and communal services, contributing to improved living conditions.
Chief Dolo and the youth leaders also reported that many Liagbala residents have been employed directly by ArcelorMittal and by the STELO-managed camp, creating steady income streams and new technical and vocational opportunities.
Emmet VAN DER Merwe, camp manager for STELO, accepted the community’s honors and expressed his institution’s continued commitment to work alongside Liagbala residents.
He pledged to maintain strong coordination with the community to ensure that jobs, training and facilities are managed transparently and sustainably.
Lance Gbagonyon, the government relations officer assigned to ArcelorMittal Liberia, praised the company’s efforts and the Liagbala community’s collaboration.
He urged youth across affected communities to emulate Liagbala’s engagement with the company, stressing that constructive partnerships can generate long-term benefits for both communities and the company’s operations.
Company representatives said plans are underway to deepen collaboration with affected communities across ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operational area, with an emphasis on peaceful, constructive engagement.
Initiatives under discussion include expanded local hiring targets, vocational training programs for youth and women, community-managed revenue schemes, and additional infrastructure support such as housing, sanitation and small-scale enterprise development.
For Liagbala, the arrival of targeted investment and regular engagement from company and partner staff has already altered the social and economic landscape.
