At a ceremony to commission the first phase of China Union's iron ore mining operations in Bong Mines, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was impressed with the level of work done in such a short period, but she also urged the company to respect the rights of the people.

These facilities have been down for over 15 years, which has led to jobs lost and no revenue generation, President Sirleaf said, and recalled that in 2006 her government went looking for investors in Bong Mines. Although it took time, she noted, "We are finally here and look at what we have after just one year of operation."

President Sirleaf said her government will continue to champion the cause of the people, especially those in the concession areas, and announced that government is already negotiating with China Union to provide decent housing, healthcare and other social benefits for the workers and their family members.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the ceremony took place on Tuesday, July 30, in the mining area in Fuama District, lower Bong County. With Phase 1 completed, full-scale iron ore mining in the Bong Range will commence. It includes setting up camps, hydraulic and conveyer belt machines, and completion of repairs on the railroad between Bong Mines and Monrovia. China Union is owned by the Wuhan Iron and Steel (Group) Corporation (WISCO) of Hong Kong, the world's largest iron ore mining company. Liberia is the first African country of its outreach.

Speaking earlier through an interpreter, WISCO Group Chairman, Mr. Xiong Xinhai, renewed his company's commitment to join the government in transforming Liberia, guided by its development priorities ranging from education, health and roads.

He noted that the Liberian and the Chinese have worked together in overcoming such challenges as malaria, insects, and certain cultural practices that could have slowed down completion of the first phase of the operation. That cooperation was also characterized by the willingness of both Chinese and Liberians to learn from one another, regardless of skin color and language.

Mr. Xiong said his company hoped to ship up to 10 million tons of ore between now and 2016, at which time China Union would have reached its highest level of production.

"As part of our social responsibility to the Liberia people, he told the President, "We have fully renovated the Bong Mines Central High School and the Bong Mines Hospital, and will continue to be a partner to the people in our operational area and to the people of Liberia."

Mr. Xiong said that his company was particularly pleased with the level of support and cooperation accorded by the Government of Liberia and the people in the community. He believed that it was more than the heavy-duty machines that had enabled China Union to complete the first phase on time; it was also the cooperation they have received.

After cutting of ribbon at the facility, President Sirleaf was taken on a guided tour by the WISCO Group Chairman, Mr. Xiong.

Bong Mines High School and Hospital Rededicated

While in Bong Mines, President Sirleaf also cut the ribbon to rededicate the fully renovated Bong Mines Central High School, a project undertaken by China Union. The school has electric fans in all classrooms for the comfort of the students and teachers - a first for public schools in the county.

The President heard from the school's principal, Mrs. Margaret Stewart, about parents' lack of interest in their children's education - referring to it as a situation which was seriously hampering learning activities. She thanked President Sirleaf for bringing China Union to Liberia, with one such benefit being the modernization of the High School. She also praised the President for the Peace Corps Volunteer teachers, two of whom were seconded to the school and had made a great impact on instructional activities there.

Speaking earlier, Education Minister Etmonia David-Tarpeh challenged the students and their parents to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the newly renovated school for their betterment.

Responding to the school administration's appeal for instructional materials and a reading room, President Sirleaf donated assorted items, including 100 book bags, 90 boxes of pencils, 10 volley balls and 10 footballs. The President promised 20 scholarships to deserving students, something she continues to do in other schools across the country. She then called on Cabinet Ministers accompanying her to sponsor at least one student in that community. Among those present were: Justice Minister Christiana Tah; Education Minister David-Tarpeh; and Deputy Internal Affairs Minister for Administration, Varney Sirleaf. The United Bank of Africa (UBA), a partner of China Union, pledged to construct and equip the reading room.

The visit to Bong Mines also presented President Sirleaf the opportunity to inspect the Hospital that is staffed and equipped by China Union. Nurses told the President that they are happy to work under the new company arrangements.

Stopover at NTAL Convention

En route to Bong Mines, President Sirleaf made a stopover at the BWI Campus to speak to members of the National Teachers' Association of Liberia (NTAL), who have gathered for their 64th National Convention.

Speaking briefly, the President urged the teachers to see themselves as the face of Liberia's quest for quality education. Once again clarifying her comment that the education system is a mess, the President told the teachers that her statement had been a wake-up call to stakeholders to see the need to urgently address the inefficiencies in the country's educational system. She added: "I have the trust that you teachers will leave no stone unturned in enabling our students to compete with their counterparts in the sub region and the world at large."

The President of the Liberian Teachers Association, Rev. Ellen Fatu Varflay, earlier thanked the President for taking measures to improve teachers' working conditions These, she said, included the provision of local and international scholarships, salary increment and current payment of teachers' salaries.

Before departing, President Sirleaf made a personal donation of US$5,000 to the Association, and wished the members well in their deliberations. The Convention runs from July 29 to August 2, and is expected to produce new corps of officers for the next three years.