By Edmund C. Gbarwee
District Superintendent Yarwin Mehnsonneh District, Paul Jackson has heap praises on ArcelorMittal for the level of developments being carried out in the district.
“For the first time since 1964, we are witnessing what good leadership and real corporate partnership can achieve,” Jackson said. “Under previous leaderships, we had hopes. But today, those hopes are materializing into tangible developments.”
Among the projects currently underway are the construction of a modern Commissioner Compound in Kpowin Town for the Zehnla Administrative District; a new police station in Zekepa, the district’s administrative headquarters; a Commissioner Compound in Ganwee for Mehnsonnoh Administrative District; and another modern Commissioner Compound in Zahnzayee for Blinon Administrative District.
Development initiatives fully funded by ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) under the County Social Development Fund (CSDF) are shooting up in Yarwin Mehnsonnoh Nimba Countty, local authorities have confirmed.
Speaking during an interview with Nimba D-9 TV in Kpowin Town, District Superintendent Paul Jackson said the district is experiencing infrastructure growth due to the combination of strong government leadership and strategic partnerships with the private sector, notably ArcelorMittal Liberia.
All the projects are being funded through the CSDF, with contributions from ArcelorMittal Liberia, the country’s largest private investor, which alone has contributed more than US$50 million to the Fund since its establishment. Superintendent Jackson extended appreciation to the Liberian government. 
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s community support extends beyond Yarwin Mehnsonnoh. In addition to contributions to the CSDF, the company has invested millions of dollars in other social programs in its operational counties of Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa.
The company has renovated and constructed schools, clinics, and community centers; supported public health campaigns; funded scholarships for hundreds of Liberian students pursuing higher education in mining and engineering; and sponsored vocational training programs aimed at building Liberia’s skilled workforce.
According to ArcelorMittal Liberia’s latest community development report, over US$40 million has been invested in community development initiatives outside of its regular CSDF contributions.
In Grand Bassa, AML is fully funding and implementing a range of new community development projects under the company’s Community Development Fund, which include road rehabilitation, water projects, and education infrastructure.
Meanwhile, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Phase 2 expansion project is expected to deepen the company’s contribution to Liberia’s economy. With a projected investment exceeding US$1.7 billion, the expansion will significantly increase iron ore production and associated economic benefits.
Phase 2 includes the construction of a new ore concentrator plant in Yekepa, the expansion and modernization of the Yekepa-Buchanan railway, and enhancements to the Buchanan Port to accommodate larger vessels and increased ore export.
Company officials say that once fully implemented, Phase 2 will triple ArcelorMittal’s annual production from 5 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore.
The expansion is expected to create over 2,000 direct construction jobs, with the majority going to Liberians. It is also projected to stimulate thousands of indirect jobs across the agriculture, services, logistics, and transportation sectors.
ArcelorMittal Liberia has emphasized that it is committed to maximizing Liberian participation through new technical training programs, apprenticeship schemes, and capacity-building initiatives designed to equip local workers with the skills needed for jobs in the mining and rail sectors.
