President Sirleaf in Grand Bassa County… - May 12, 2008


President Sirleaf in Grand Bassa County…
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is warning residents of Grand Bassa County of taking away properties belonging to Mittal Steel and Buchanan Renewable Energies.

President Sirleaf’s warning comes amidst reports that residents of Buchanan were allegedly stealing materials being used by Mittal Steel to reconstruct the railway from Buchanan to Yekapa, Nimba County.

Speaking Saturday during a one-day visit to Buchanan, President Johnson-Sirleaf lauded Mittal Steel for keeping its commitment to begin iron ore exportation by 2009 with the exportation of more equipment and the employment of more Liberians.

Mittal Steele said it has employed about one thousand nine hundred people and up to two thousand five hundred will be employed by next year.

While in Buchanan the Liberian Leader also met with the Legislative Caucus and citizens of the county and assured them of government’s commitment to rehabilitate the Cotton-Tree –Buchanan Highway.

President Johnson Sirleaf disclosed that the rehabilitation will begin in October this year at the end of the rainy season. She attributed the delay to the lack of funds which she said has already been taken care of.

At the meeting, the Bassa Legislative Caucus drew the President’s attention to a number of issues including the reconstruction of the county’s highway, the effects of sea erosion in Buchanan City and the delay in the disbursement of the country’s development funds.

In response, President Sirleaf said Government through the Lands, Mines and Energy Minister, will shortly begin the relocation of citizens from the areas affected by the sea erosion.

Meanwhile the President has appealed to Mittal Steel to help citizens of Bassa deal with the erosion problem. She also lauded the County Legislative Caucus for their cooperation in working with Mittal Steel and Buchanan Renewable Energies for the improvement of the livelihood of Bassa Citizens.