The Nimba Legislative Caucus and County Administration have hailed the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia for helping to improve the healthcare system of Nimba through the renovation of the G.W. Harley Hospital.
Representative Johnson Gwaikolo, Co-Chairperson of the Nimba Legislative Caucus was speaking over the weekend when leaders of the county, the management of AML, and a cross-section of Nimba citizens gathered to announce the completion of the replacement of the roof of the hospital.
ArcelorMittal Liberia responded to a request from the medical and administrative team of the G.W. Harley Hospital in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, by replacing the entire roof of the facility which was dilapidated and leaked profusely from the rainy season.
Earlier this year, ArcelorMittal Liberia responded to the request to renovate the hospital and provided USD $45,000 (Forty-five Thousand United States Dollars) to underwrite the entire cost of the project.
Representative Gwaikolostressed the importance of the latest intervention by ArcelorMittal Liberia at the G.W. Harley Hospital for the health of Liberians in and near Sanniquellie.
“In all you do, you have to be healthy. Today we see that the hospital has been renovated. It tells us that a new day is at hand and we want to say thank you to ArcelorMittal Liberia.
After completion of the hospital renovation, the management of ArcelorMittal Liberia at the weekend turned over the facility to authorities of the Ministry of Health and of Nimba County at a well-attended ceremony in Sanniquellie, graced by scores of county officials including members of the county administration and the legislative caucus.
Also in attendance were severalprominent national and local leaders including Representatives Larry P. Nyonquoi, Roger Domah, Joseph Nyan Somwabi, and Prince O.S. Tokpah of Districts 7,3, &2 respectively.
In his remarks as ‘Elder’ within the Caucus, District # 8 Representative Larry Nyonquoitold the AML CEO that he was deeply appreciative of what the company has done in Sanniquellie and in Gbapa [clinic construction].
In a statement earlier, ArcelorMittal Liberia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jozephus Coenen expressed delight that the company as part of its corporate social responsibility was helping to address the needs of its host communities.
CEO Coenen said he was particularly happy to see an improvement at the G.W. Harley Hospital, through the intervention of ArcelorMittal. He assured the company’s commitment to sharing the value of its investment with its host communities, through more community development initiatives.
According to him, more is expected to be achieved together, for the country and host communities, when the company’s Phase Two expansion project is in full swing.
“I can assure you that we create value from mining and exporting the ore, but we can’t create that value on ourselves. It is only possible if we are ready to gather, and raise our host communities,” he said.
“It is part of our license to operate, but it’s also part of our social obligations that we have to share values with the people we are working with ─ that’s our employees, and especially our host communities.”
Dr. Siedoh Freeman, the Medical Director of G.W. Harley Hospital praised AML, for carrying out the renovation, adding that the company’s intervention indicates its commitment to improving the healthcare delivery system of Nimba.
“I remember a few months backthe roof was leaking badly. That was challengingfor both the patients and the staff. But today, I can proudly say we no longer have that problem,” she said.
Dr. Freeman said despite the company’s commitment to contributing to the relocation drive of the hospital, ArcelorMittal Liberiawas never hesitant at the request of the hospital’s administration to carryout the renovation, which included re-roofing and painting the entire facility.
“So, you can see that their concern and interest in Nimba County is evident by the timely intervention and support to the hospital.”
She meanwhile called on the company to continue its goodwill to help address other challenges of the hospital, including the need for re-electrification of the facility. She said the current electrification system of the facility is faulty and could cause further harm.
G.W. Harley Hospital renovation is one of several AML supported projects and programs in education, healthcare, livelihood, community development, and others ongoing in Nimba, Grand Bassa, and Bong Counties.
The Nimba County administration was headed by Superintendent Nelson Korquoi, Riley G. Myers, Assistant Superintendent for Development, and B. Mack Gblinwon, County Inspector of Nimba.
