The Government of Liberia in the aftermath of suspending the Road User Permit of Western Cluster Limited, was apprised of the docking of AE Mercury, a vessel brought in by WCL to export its ores previously prepared. GoL wishes to emphasize that the said vessel only docked at the Freeport of Monrovia on May 3, 2024, predating the period at which Western Cluster’s Road User Permit was suspended by the Government through the Ministry of Public Works.

Following rigorous analysis of the legal and financial consequences that could lie against Western Cluster and the Government of Liberia, the Government has decided to grant Western Cluster a three (3) day respite from May 10-12, 2024, to allow the company lift its ores that were already prepared for export by the supra named vessel.

However, the Government hereby reaffirms its determination to uncompromisingly enforce the suspension of Western Cluster’s Road User Permit at the cessation of the respite, until there are irrefutable pieces of evidence that the company has met its obligations stipulated in the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) where unto it signed.

To this end, the Works Ministry would like to assure those directly affected by Western Cluster’s violations of the MDA that, it will ensure that the complications are resolved, and that the company is made fully compliant before the suspension is lifted. Therefore, it is also important to stress that the respite ends on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at midnight, and that the suspension remains enforced thereafter.