By P. Clarence Jackson, latifahkpah172@gmail.com
Gbarnga, Liberia– A road accident that caused the deaths of four persons has sparked serious tension is brewing in Sayeh town, Boisen district in Liberia’s central Bong County.
The tension flared up hours after a tragic motor accident involving a commercial motorcycle and a pickup.
Although the exact cause of the accident remains unknown, the accident involved a Toyota Hilux Pickup that is said to belong to a Chinese firmed contracted by MNG Gold, A Turkish Mining Company operating in the area.
According to reports, the incident occurred on the evening of Monday November 5, 2018, when the vehicle collided with the motorcycle killing the rider and a passenger and two others who were reportedly coming from the farm.
The wreckage of the motorcycle
Few minutes later, angry citizens set ablaze the vehicle while the driver was immediately rescued by Officers of the Liberia National Police assigned in Dean’s town few minutes away from where the accident took place.
Up to the publication of this story, this writer gathered that unknown persons entered the Company’s compound and put off its source of electricity, but the company later put on one of its small generators to provide electricity in the main time.
Police Support Unit officers from the Gbarnga Regional Justice and Security Hub in Gbarnga have responded to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
Friends and relatives wailing over the dead victims of the accident
Several local authorities in Bong County including Superintendent Esther Walker and the Chairman of the Bong County Legislative Caucus Senator Henry Yallah have been calling via phone on Community Radio Stations in Gbarnga appealing to the citizens to remain calm.
There is growing tension between the people of Saweh town and MNG Gold in recent time over allegations that Chemicals from the Company’s operation area was causing serious health hazard for them especially students of the Saweh town public school.
Bong County Police Detachment Commander Fredrick Nappy who spoke to this writer via phone while en route to the area said, latest report from the Company’s Camp is that several of its facilities are being looted already.
Although this writer gathered that a huge Police Presence is currently around the Company’s area, it is not known what exactly could happen over the next couple of hours. Reporter Clarence Jackson is a New Narratives Fellow, Gbarnga, Bong County