NATIONAL NEWS
YEKEPAH – ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has called on members of the Yekepa Town Council to intensify efforts to prevent and report illegal construction activities in the township, warning that unauthorized structures could undermine the company’s long-term vision to transform Yekepa into a modern, well-planned community for current and future generations.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The appeal was made during a meeting held on July 9, 2026, between AML’s Community Relations Section of the Department of Sustainability and External Relations and members of the Yekepa Town Council.
The meeting, which was attended by 12 council members, focused on several issues affecting the township, including the increasing number of illegal structures being erected in Yekepa, a review of the council’s monthly report, and the completion status of the Town Council office building.
Speaking during the engagement, AML Community Relations Officer Hilton Gortor expressed concern over reports that some members of the Town Council were allegedly involved in allocating land to individuals constructing unauthorized buildings within the concession area.
According to Gortor, AML has received complaints from residents alleging that some council officials, including Town Council Chairman Moses Guannu, have provided house spots to individuals engaged in illegal construction.
He said such allegations, whether proven true or false, continue to create reputational challenges for the company and undermine efforts to ensure proper management and development of the township.
“We continue to receive reports from residents that some members of the council are allocating land to people to build illegally. These reports damage the company’s reputation and undermine the trust we are working hard to build with the community,” Gortor said.
Gortor reminded the council that AML retains the legal authority to remove structures erected without approval within the concession area and urged council members to educate residents against investing in unauthorized buildings.
“The company reserves the right to demolish any building that is erected illegally within the concession. We encourage council members to help educate squatters and residents so they do not put themselves in a position where they may eventually lose their investments,” he added.
He further warned that if allegations of council members facilitating illegal construction are proven, such actions would represent a serious breach of the partnership between the Town Council and ArcelorMittal Liberia.
“It would be a disservice to the company that the council works alongside. We expect honesty, transparency, and collaboration in protecting the integrity of Yekepa’s development,” he noted.
However, council members attributed the rise in illegal construction partly to assurances reportedly given by some politicians who allegedly told residents that AML was not committed to further developing Yekepa Township.
The council members also alleged that some AML employees have participated in unauthorized construction despite repeated warnings from the Town Council.
According to them, perceived political support has weakened the authority of the council, making it increasingly difficult to prevent residents from building without proper approval.
“We advise people, but many no longer respect the authority of the Town Council because they believe they have political backing,” one council member said.
The council appealed to AML to provide an official policy document governing township management that could be presented to residents engaged in illegal construction.
Members said a formal policy would strengthen their efforts to prevent unauthorized development and demonstrate that enforcement actions are based on established regulations rather than personal decisions.
Responding to the request, Community Relations Manager Vaanii Kiazolu and Community Relations Officer Hilton Gortor provided the council with relevant sections of AML’s township management policy and encouraged members to immediately report any new cases of illegal construction.
Kiazolu also committed to escalating concerns regarding outstanding works on the Town Council office building to support its timely completion.
Protecting the Vision for New Yekepa
AML emphasized that preventing illegal construction is not only about enforcing concession regulations but also about protecting the company’s long-term vision for the redevelopment of Yekepa.
Under its development plans, the company intends to construct a modern New Yekepa Township featuring improved housing, better road networks, reliable drainage systems, expanded public utilities, recreational facilities, and other essential infrastructure designed according to modern urban planning standards.
The planned township is expected to improve living conditions for employees and residents while creating a safer, more organized, and environmentally sustainable community capable of supporting Liberia’s growing mining sector.
Company officials stressed that achieving this vision requires proper land-use planning and strict compliance with approved development layouts.
They warned that unauthorized construction could interfere with engineering designs, increase project costs, delay implementation, and eventually require the removal of structures built in restricted areas.
AML said illegal structures have the potential to obstruct future road alignments, utility corridors, public facilities, drainage systems, and residential developments intended to benefit the wider community.
The company therefore urged residents to avoid investing in unauthorized construction that may later be affected when implementation of the township master plan begins.
Residents were encouraged to work with the Town Council and AML to ensure future development follows approved planning guidelines that serve the interests of the entire community.
AML officials said the success of the New Yekepa development depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders, including community leaders, residents, employees, and government authorities.
They stressed that obstructing the project through illegal construction could negatively affect the same communities expected to benefit from improved infrastructure, expanded economic opportunities, enhanced public services, and a modern township built to international standards.
At the close of the meeting, Gortor reminded council members of the importance of submitting monthly reports to the Community Relations Office on time, warning that failure to do so could lead to the suspension of monthly operational benefits provided to the Town Council.
He urged the council to continue working closely with AML to safeguard Yekepa’s future and ensure the township’s redevelopment delivers lasting benefits for present and future generations.
