By: Trokon Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
Buchanan – ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has dedicated a series of water and sanitation facilities to residents of its fence-line communities in Buchanan, reaffirming its commitment to improving public health and community wellbeing.
The handover ceremony was held Wednesday at the Central Airfield Community near AML’s airstrip on the outskirts of Buchanan.
Residents of Lemuel Town, Airfield Town, Family Town, Norway Town, and Sayou Town benefited from the project, which includes five newly installed hand pumps and five modern public toilets.
The interventions are part of the Buchanan Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) initiative launched by AML in 2024 to address longstanding water and sanitation challenges in its concession communities.
The program is designed to ensure sustainable access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation facilities while strengthening long-term environmental and public health outcomes.
As part of the broader initiative, AML worked with community leaders to select pump sites, contracted certified firms for installation, and trained residents in proper facility management and water storage.
To ease short-term needs during construction, the company also distributed 10,567 sachets of purified mineral water to residents.
The total investment in the Buchanan WASH project is valued at US$108,709.50.
Marcus Wleh, AML’s Head of Sustainability and External Relations, said the projects reflect a more inclusive approach to community development.
“The idea is for communities to manage the projects in a sustainable way so that they last longer and continue to serve the people who most need them,” Wleh noted. “These interventions were implemented upon the direct request of the communities, and ArcelorMittal is always ready to support its host communities.”
Town Chief Lawrence Sumo, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, described the facilities as historic.
“We are happy that ArcelorMittal Liberia has done this for us. We don’t know how to thank you, but God will bless ArcelorMittal for doing this for us,” he said.
Beyond the hand pumps and toilets, AML disclosed it is currently constructing 10 water tanks across Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba counties.
Each tank will have the capacity to supply safe drinking water to as many as 500 people daily and will be dedicated in the coming weeks.
The Buchanan sewage and sanitation projects underscore AML’s increasing investment in sustainable, community-driven solutions aimed at addressing critical environmental and health challenges while directly improving the lives of people in its operational areas.
