ArcelorMittal Liberia signs landmark road-building deal

distributed by noodls on 01/30/2013 11:39

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ArcelorMittal Liberia has signed a US$40m deal with the government of Liberia to build a 70km road between the towns of Ganta and Yekepa, close to our company's iron ore mine in Mount Tokadeh.

The agreement, signed at the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) on Friday 25 January in Monrovia, signifies the official start of the construction process on the road which will significantly cut the journey time between the two towns and allow local farmers and businesses to more easily take their goods to the regional market in Ganta.

Speaking on behalf of ArcelorMittal Liberia, CEO Antonio Carlos said: "Today we are happy to make good on our promise to the Liberian people; a promise that Mr Mittal, chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal made to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2011."

Local company Longman Engineering Services carried out the highway design, which will be submitted to the MPW for approval, followed by the tendering process for bids from contractors.

The government of Liberia will also begin the resettlement of inhabitants located on the new highway route, based on World Bank international standards.

Construction is projected to start in November 2013 with completion of the black-top highway expected in 2015.