MONROVIA – In a shocking turn of events, the Government of Liberia has abruptly restored the road user permit for Western Cluster Limited (WCL), a controversial mining company previously condemned for its egregious violations and detrimental impact on local communities. This decision comes barely a month after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai himself threatened to shut down the company due to its blatant disregard for both the law and the welfare of Liberians.
The abrupt restoration of WCL’s permit has sparked a wave of outrage and disbelief among civil society groups, local communities, and political observers who view this move as a clear indication of corruption and the government’s indifference to the people’s plight.
Critics are raising serious questions about the motivations behind the government’s sudden change of heart. Allegations are rife that high-ranking officials have received bribes to reinstate WCL’s operations, despite the company’s history of violating its Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government. Our sources suggests that public officials from Boakai’s cabinet and the Legislature, accepted a US$200k bribe from the controversial company to suspend the ban. The Ministry has not given any official statement on why the ban was lifted and the company has not taken actions to address any of the issues that led to the imposition of the ban
Insiders suggest that US$200k have exchanged hands, with some pointing fingers at influential lawmakers and government officials who stand to gain financially from WCL’s continued exploitation of Liberia’s mineral resources. This scandal, if true, underscores a deeply entrenched culture of corruption that prioritizes personal gain over national interest and public welfare.
The timing of this decision, just one month after the company was banned, has fueled suspicions that the government is desperately depending on the funds generated from WCL’s operations to finance its projects. President Boakai’s administration, already marred by accusations of misappropriation and off-budget spending, is now seen as complicit in a scheme that could perpetuate its hold on power at the expense of the Liberian people.
Civil society organizations, including the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), have condemned this move as a betrayal of the public trust. “This decision flies in the face of every promise made by the Boakai administration to hold WCL accountable,” said an SDI spokesperson. “The government is clearly more interested in lining its pockets than in protecting the health, safety, and rights of its citizens.”
The restoration of WCL’s permit comes despite the company’s failure to address numerous violations and concerns. WCL has consistently ignored the terms of its road user permit, using oversized trucks that have caused extensive damage to roads and bridges, posing serious risks to motorists and pedestrians. The company has also neglected to construct a promised railway, further exacerbating the environmental and infrastructural damage caused by its operations.
Local communities have suffered immensely from WCL’s activities, enduring pollution, traffic congestion, and restricted freedom of movement. The health risks posed by the inhalation of iron oxide fumes, which can cause severe respiratory illnesses, have also been blatantly disregarded by both the company and the government.
Community leaders and civil society groups are mobilizing to resist this decision and demand accountability. Protests and advocacy campaigns are being planned to highlight the government’s complicity in WCL’s exploitative practices and to call for a comprehensive review of all agreements with the company.
“Liberians deserve better than to be sold out by their own leaders,” said a local activist. “We will not stand by while our resources are plundered and our people suffer. The government must rescind this decision and hold WCL accountable for its actions.”
