The Inquirer (Monrovia)
25 September 2008
In the wake of mixed reactions concerning the recent donation of 100 vehicles by Arcelormittal, the company yesterday issued a press statement commenting on the issue.
It said the donation was in response to an appeal from the Liberian Government for logistical support to manage the challenges associated with food crisis.
Below is the full text of the company's press statement issues yesterday:
"In May of 2008, ArcelorMittal Liberia responded to an urgent appeal for logistical support from the Government t of Liberia to manage the challenges associated with food crisis currently impacting Liberia and much of the developing world. In this regard, ArceloorMittal Liberia pledged 100 vehicles in support of the rural development agenda to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture.
"At an August 28th press conference, during which time 20 vehicles were presented to the Government of Liberia, Minister of Internal Affairs Ambullai Johnson stated that, "it became immediately apparent to the Government of Liberia that its ability to implement its agriculture development agenda, on the necessary timeline, would be constrained by a lack of logistical capacity.
"In light of the pending food crisis, H.E. the President of Liberia requested that major foreign investors currently operating in Liberia consider donating vehicles that would support the Government's immediate and medium-term rural development plans," continued the Minister.
"ArcelorMittal Liberia, which holds an iron ore concession area stretching across Nimba, Bong, and Grand Bassa counties, was one of the major foreign investors to respond to the direct appeal from President Johnson Sirleaf.
"Stated Joseph Mathews, CEO of ArcelorMittal, at the press conference, "ArcelorMittal Liberia hopes that the Government of Liberia can use these vehicles to accelerate the pace of key development projects in all of Liberia's counties, particularly in support of efforts to respond to the food crisis and expand agricultural production across the country."
"All vehicles presented to the government were inventoried by the Liberian General Services Administration and tagged with official government license plates. A sticker stating, "Community Development Support from ArcelorMittal," was affixed to each vehicle.
"The Government of Liberia and ArcelorMittal have been coordinating closely to maximize the development impact of ArcelorMittal's $1.5 billion investment to the country, which includes renovation of the port of Buchanan, the rehabilitation of the 270-killometer railway from Buchanan to Yekepa, and the redevelopment of iron ore mining in Nimba County.
"ArcelorMittor is supporting the development agenda of the Government of Liberia on this and other projects.
The Government of Liberia hopes that ArcelorMittal's generous donation will encourage other national development partners to pledge resources, as they are able, to advance Liberian growth and development initiatives.
"The vehicles are a charitable donation, deductible under Liberian law, "the statement concluded.
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