Western Cluster: Jubilation In Western Liberia

Western Liberia-Several citizens from Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Grand Cape Mount Counties have expressed joy over the lifting of the road user permit suspension for Western Cluster Limited (WCL).
The citizens celebrated and praised the Government of Liberia, particularly the Ministry of Public Works for allowing the company to resume hauling of iron ore from Tubmanburg to the Freeport of Monrovia.
“We want to thank the government for lifting this road permit suspension. If it had continued, many of our brothers and sisters would have lost their jobs,” some concerned citizens from Westrn Liberia shared during a call-in segment on Pumah FM, a local radio station in Tubmanburg.
The citizens further explained that during the suspension, many businesses in Bomi County struggled as workers of Western Cluster were not receiving their wages which negatively impacted the local economy. “With the company now set to resume its operations, our businesses will run again,” they added.
Western Cluster’s road user permit was suspended for the third time on July 12, 2024, following a communication from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which cited violations of the environmental permit issued to the company in June. However, on Tuesday September 17, 2024, the Government of Liberia lifted the suspension, allowing the company to restart its operations.
The citizens expressed gratitude on Wednesday morning during the live radio broadcast, hopeful that the resumption of WCL’s activities would bring economic relief to the region.