The Government of Liberia (GOL) has finally lifted the suspension placed on the road user permit of Western Cluster. The Ministry of Public Works announced the restoration of the company’s Road User Permit (RUP) on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
In a communication addressed to Joseph Coeiho, Western Cluster’s Chief Executive, Public Works Minister Roland Giddings said the “restoration of the Road User Permit” is predicated upon WCL compliance in providing US$200,000 for the repairs of the road from Klay Junction to the St. Paul Bridge and the receipt of the assessment report to provide for the railway bridge parallel to the St. Paul Bridge.
The Minister said the communication sent to the institution serves as an official notification to the effect that the Road User Permit (RUP- 220620-004) of the company, which was suspended on May 3, 2024, is restored.
Minister Giddings restored the permit under an agreed understanding and proviso that the institution widens road by 5 meters with 2.5 meters with a condition that they provide proof of contract provided if applicable.
The government told the mining company that the allowable tons per truck (including 30 tonnes payload and 15 tonnes for employ weight of truck) and total number of trucks should not exceed 125; and each truck should make at most 2 trips per day; which is equivalent to 250 trip per day; and with a pay load of 30 tonnes, the total number of weights per day must be 7,500 tonnes per month and 2.7 mega metric tonnes per annual (2.7MTPA).
Additionally, the Minister said the institution should install weighing bridge before Po River Bridge at a point to be agreed upon between the ministry of public and WCL.
They instructed that, in order to use the railway bridge parallel to the St. Paul River Bridge, the maximum load to be carried on the bridge should be 48 tons if the bridge is fully maintained; carry out concrete and steel tests on various components of the bridge, and fully rehabilitate and maintained the bridge.
Additionally, they are mandated to carry out underwater investigation every six (6) months to confirm the integrity of substructure, all steel members must be sandblasted and painted with three layers anti-corrosive paint.
Additionally, it is requested that the damaged members of the steel rails be replaced, regular inspection of the structure be carried out once every three months for maintenance purposes.
The ministry provided a hotline, 0770303676/0880914922, so that the public places call to report reckless driving.
Minister Giddings mandated WCL to adhere to all of the recommendations in the agreement.