President Ellen J0hnson-Sirleaf has commended Western Cluster Limited (WCL) for financing the construction of two new concrete bridges along the Monrovia-Tubmanburg Highway which totalled US$ 1 million as part of the company's corporate social responsibility programme.

"This is kind of strong partnership that we like to see happening for our people. We thank Western Cluster for this excellent job. I am so delighted to see a company doing this kind of project where generations yet unborn will benefit from", President Johnson-Sirleaf said as she cut the ribbons for the two bridges on the eve of Liberia's 166th Independence Anniversary.

Acting Public Works Minister Victor Smith also commended WCL for partnering with the Government of Liberia within the framework of Public Private Partnership to undertake such meaningful project for the people of Liberia.

The two new bridges where previously Bailey [Prefabricated Steel] Bridges located in Klay and Guie Towns in Bomi County which were originally constructed under the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Quick Impact Project in 2004 along the 70 km Monrovia to Tubmanburg Road.

Moreover, WCL also constructed four new concrete culverts in Gola Konneh, District, Grand Cape Mount County, replacing derelict timber bridges that made it impossible for vehicles and pedestrians to freely travel across them.

The construction works, funded by WCL, were executed by a road construction company CHICO under the technical guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Public Works.

Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent, Imam Mohammed Passewe said, "The bridges have actually come as relief to the people to Grand Cape Mount. Villages that were disconnected are now reconnected."

Honourable Samuel F. Brown, Superintendent of Bomi, also lauded WCL for the bridges and other Corporate Social Responsibility programs it has been undertaking for Bomi County.

"Western Cluster Limited has been a true partner to the people of Bomi County and the bridges construction did not come as a surprise to us. The company has been assisting the county are benefiting our people", Superintendent Brown said.

For his part, Atul Mittal, Executive Director of WCL, said the company decision to construct bridges is meant to enhance economic activities in counties within its concession areas.

"This is a partnership between the WCL and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Public Works in addressing the infrastructure needs of the Liberian people especially the residents of Western Liberia whose activities have been negatively impacted due to inadequate road infrastructure", he said.

Mr. Mittal also noted, "Western Cluster Limited, as an iron ore concessionaire, seeks to build better relations with local communities in Western Liberia through the undertaking of projects that will impact the lives of people living in these areas"

Further partnering with the authorities of Bomi County, WCL has also completed the rehabilitation and expansion of streets in the city of Tubmanburg, the venue of the Official Program commemorating Liberia's 166th Independence Anniversary.

About Western Cluster Limited

Western Cluster Limited (WCL) is a Liberia based subsidiary of Sesa Goa Limited (SGL) of India engaged in developing Liberia's three iron ore deposits namely the Bea, Bomi and Mano River Mines located in the country's western region into a large integrated iron ore project.

SGL is India's largest producer and exporter of iron ore in the private sector. For over five decades, it has been involved in iron ore mining, beneficiation and exports. SGL is also a majority-owned subsidiary of Vedanta Resources plc. (Vedanta), the London-based FTSE 100 metals and mining group which operates across the following core business sectors: Zinc-Lead-Silver, Copper, Aluminium, Iron Ore, Oil and Gas and Power, with operations in India, Australia, UAE, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Ireland.