Domestic
Chinese company to expand operations in Liberia
Updated: 2009-09-01 11:30
A Chinese company operating in Liberia Monday has unveiled its plans for the West African nation, promising to expand its operations in the mining, agriculture, and electricity sectors.
China Henan International Cooperation Group of Companies Limited (CHICO) said although it came to Liberia under an agreement reached with the World Bank and the government of Liberia to construct and rehabilitate roads, it has already began mining exploration in the country.
Liu said the latest exploration started in early 2009, and plans are in the process for the company's mining exploration to be extended to northern Liberia, where it has requested the Liberian government to allow it to carry out mining at the highly rich mining area of Wologisi, located in Liberia's biggest county of Lofa.
"We also have plans to engage in agriculture; we intend to bid to do water supply by December this year and repair and construct drainages; engage in power projects and the construction of sub- stations," he said.
Liu said the decision by the company to carry out all of these initiatives clearly shows that it intends to stay in Liberia for long, as it has been operating in other countries like Senegal, where it has operated since 1980 as well as nations across Africa like Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia and Guinea, where it is currently active.
"We will also in the not too remote future begin oil exploration, "he assured.
Since its arrival in Liberia in 2007, after it won a bid to reconstruct roads in Liberia, CHICO has built most of the roads in Monrovia city and its environs. The company is currently extending its road construction work in Liberia's interior and according to the Liberian government by the end of the dry season massive operation mainly in the interior side will begin on a full scale.
