Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia: In an effort to boost the construction of Gbapa medical facility project in Nimba County, ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has presented an additional amount of Thirty-five thousand United States Dollars (US$35,000) to the people of Gbapa in Yarmein Administrative District, Nimba County.
The cash presentation which comes as further support by the company towards the construction of the Clinic, appears unprecedented for the construction works as the facility when completed, will be the first and only health facility in the area.
In January of this year, a previous presentation of about Fifty thousand United States Dollars (US$50,000) was made by the company, which will now sum the total cost of it’s financial commitment to the Gbapa Clinic Project to Eighty five thousand United States Dollars (US$85,000).
The Head of Government and Community Relations at ArcelorMittal Liberia Marcus Wleh mid Monday in his disclosure while making the presentation, noted that the latest amount was in fulfilment of the company’s commitment to assist the people of Gbapa, in completing the construction of a modern clinic for its inhabitants and others from nearby towns and villages.
“AML and the people of Gbapa agreed that they would provide the local and low-cost materials, while the company provides both cash and material support. Earlier, AML contributed USD $50,000 in materials, for the construction of the clinic, bringing the total contributed so far by the company to USD $85,000 Dollars”, he provided.
He further embraced the fulfillment of the existing partnership between both the people of Nimba and the company, stressing that such partnership for improved social and community development was a good approach for a peaceful coexistence, by the company and the communities.
“The people of Gbapa provided most of the materials for the building, and we contributed $50,000 worth of materials and are now providing this USD $35,000. We have contributed a total of $85,000 towards the Gbapa clinic project,” Marcus Wleh further noted.
For his part, Nimba County Distric #3 Lawmaker, Representative Joseph N. Somwarbi urged residents of the District to continue to collaborate with ArcelorMittal Liberia to achieve more in community development.
He however articulated that the people of Yarmein District, as the traditional host of AML pledged their unwavering support to the company, so both sides could collaborate and form a partnership in support of the district’s development agenda.
The Nimba County District #3 Representative also mentioned that the establishment of the clinic will greatly help in addressing the many health issues within the area, including maternal mortality, and stressed that the sooner the clinic can be completed, the better it will be for them to work with the government to ensure that it is captured in the budget.
At the same time, Dr. Fredrick Norkeh, who represented the people of Gbapa as head of the clinic project, acknowledged the good contributions and positive impact of AML on the country, especially communities where it operates.