By Catherine K Conteh

MONROVIA, July 14 (LINA) – The Ministry of Public Works (MPW) has again announced the suspension of Western Cluster Limited (WCL) Road User Permit (RUP-220620-004) in response to mounting pressure from the Liberian Senate concerning the company’s adverse impact on national infrastructure.

According to Senate Pro-tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence who took to her official Facebook page on July 12, 2024, the suspension follows sustained Senate scrutiny over WCL’s operations.

"Due to sustained pressure from the Liberian Senate, the Ministry of Public Works has suspended the Road User Permit granted to Western Cluster Limited (WCL) for the commercial hauling of iron ore along the Freeport of Monrovia to Bomi Hills Road corridor,” she stated.

According to Madam Lawrence, an investigation led by the Senate uncovered WCL’s non-compliance with its contractual obligations to the government, including delays in constructing a railway and port in Grand Cape Mount County.

She added that instead, WCL opted to use public roads for transporting iron ore, resulting in substantial infrastructure damage.

"This misuse has caused significant damage to infrastructure," she noted.

The initial suspension was prompted by President Joseph N. Boakai’s visit to the concession area in April 2024, where he criticized WCL for exceeding the anticipated damage under the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA).

The Liberian Leader condemned the company for compromising national infrastructure and endangering residents.

Despite the President's intervention, MPW lifted the suspension a few weeks later, allowing WCL to resume operations, a decision that faced strong opposition from Capitol Hill lawmakers, who demanded renewed suspension due to inadequate environmental assessments.

On July 12, 2024, MPW announced the immediate suspension of WCL’s permit, aligning with a communication from the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA).

The EPA indicated that WCL’s environmental permit had expired since June 5, 2024, violating Liberia’s Environmental Protection and Management Law.

"The Ministry of Public Works underscored the severe health and safety risks to road users and the environment resulting from WCL’s non-compliance. As such, the Ministry has invoked Section VI (B) of the permit to suspend WCL’s operations immediately to protect public health and environmental safety,” Madam Lawrence stated.

Meanwhile, the suspension, according to MPW will remain effective until Western Cluster Limited provides documented evidence of compliance with Liberia’s environmental laws and if WCL fails to address these violations within 60 days, the Road User Permit will be permanently revoked.