Buchanan, Grand Bassa County: ArcelorMittal Liberia has expanded its ongoing housing renovation program to Buchanan as part of efforts to improve staff accommodation across its concession areas.
24 houses currently undergoing renovation in Area-R are expected to be turned over to the company’s Estate Department by the end of October.
Rufus Dickson, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Construction Engineer in Yekepa, disclosed touring the site and commended the World Engineering and Construction Company, a Liberian-owned firm, for its professionalism and speed in completing its contract ahead of schedule.
“The World Engineering and Construction Company has done excellently well and met its deadline. This confidence-building performance has encouraged the Estate Department to consider awarding the firm another contract,” Mr. Dickson said.
Other contractors, he noted, are still working hard to complete their respective assignments.
The six units, each containing three self-contained rooms and a visitor’s bathroom, are part of the company’s efforts to restore properties that were looted and damaged during Liberia’s civil crisis. Once completed, the renovated houses will be used to accommodate guests.
During a visit to the site on September 29, plumbers were observed installing water and sewage lines in preparation for the official turnover.
Mr. Dickson also revealed that an additional 45 housing units have been approved for renovation, to be implemented by the same construction company. All 45 units are located within the Area-R vicinity and will be allocated to local employees upon completion.
He added that Maria DeSilva, Head of the Estate Department, is taking a strong lead in ensuring the new renovation phase is completed on time to address accommodation constraints affecting local employees.
In addition to these renovations, there are ongoing extensions of existing staff houses to create more rooms and expand occupancy. For instance, in the EA community, where senior staff reside, several houses have been extended to host multiple families instead of just one.
According to Mr. Dickson, plans are also underway to renovate unoccupied houses in Area D, which will be allotted to local employees once completed.
ArcelorMittal Liberia’s housing renovation initiative forms part of its broader commitment to improving staff welfare and enhancing living conditions in its concession areas across Liberia.
