IG Coleman Engages Arcelor Mittal Liberia Affected Communities in Nimba

(Monrovia, Liberia – August 9, 2024) The Inspector General of Police, Hon. Gregory O.W Coleman during the week visited and engaged with residents of two Arcelor Mittal Liberia affected communities.

The engagement is part of his extensive community Policing program currently being executed across the Country. The communities visited were Zolowee and Gbapa in Nimba County.

The activity is in an effort to proactively dialogue with the leadership of Arcelor Mittal Liberia and affected communities (Zolowee and Gbapa) in the concessional area.

In an interactive forum, the residents of the two Towns expressed their grievances including; delay in payment of resettlement benefits, destroyed crops, unemployment, high criminal rate in the Towns and water pollution among others.

Considering their grievances, the IG appreciated the residents of Zolowee and Gbapa for their continued exhibition of good behavior during bad times.
He also mentioned the cooperative efforts of the community to law enforcement officers.

“I want to tell you people thank you for helping to arrest and turned over someone who allegedly murdered your own daughter, but did not involve into mob violence unlike other communities” IGP said.

At the same time, IG Coleman has promised to train and set up a Community Watch Forum (CWF) in the coming weeks. “This community will be part of a pilot project for me, we will break the organized crimes and expose the criminals” IG Coleman said. He further encouraged the citizens to exercise restraint whilst their concerns are being addressed.

In a brief remark, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Arcelor Mittal, Mr. Michiel Van Der Merwe expressed thanks applauded the citizens of Zolowee and Gbapa and promised a good working relationship.

He further urged the citizens to exercise patience especially in channeling their grievances with the company. “I am appealing to you to exercise patience though we cannot employ everyone, but things will get better soon” Mr. Merwe said.

Meanwhile, the citizens of the two Towns commended the Inspector General for his timely intervention and promised to be law abiding as they await redress.