Nimba County, Liberia: – Bonla, a town at the foot of Mount Yuelliton, is now accessible to vehicles and motorcycles after years of inaccessibility.

The bridges along the road were completed using the 20% social development fund provided by ArcelorMittal Liberia for community development, with the acquiescence of the Legislators and the Project Management Committee of Nimba. Despite building those bridges, the road was still not accessible to vehicles, except motorcycles that found their way along the footpath used by farmers and travelers, until the AML Infrastructure team intervened by deploying its road equipment to improve the situation.

Vehicles now go to the town to transport plantain and other farm produce to the market, to the delight of Town Chief Erickson Flomo and his community residents.

The intervention began in June 2024 with clearing the roadsides and grading of the main stretch from T-Gate in Yekepa to Lugbeyee and onward to Bonla. However, the rehabilitation work could not reach the town (Bonla) at that time due to the lack of a bridge nearby. After the festive season, the infrastructure team recommenced the work and reached the town. “We are happy for the road to reach here. Now cars can come to Bona to get goods, and we can move quickly on motorbikes when we want to.

“I want to thank ArcelorMittal for the relationship that has started, and we hope to continue,” said Town Chief Flomo.

He explained that the improved road condition enhances their safety and helps prevent road accidents and other security risks. The Town Chief sees the intervention as a new dawn in the relationship between AML and Bonla Town, which he said they will nurture and sustain. In doing this, Mr. Flomo said they would help protect ArcelorMittal Liberia’s operations and cautioned youth in the area against acts that undermine the presence of the company.