PHOTO: The donated motorbikes
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
BOINSEN, BONG, Liberia- The Management of MNG Gold Liberia has presented five (5) TVS Star Motorbikes to residents of Kokoyah district.
The bikes are in fulfillment of 15 motorbikes requested by Senator Prince Kermue Moye to be distributed on local leaders within the concession areas, Mark Gbanken, MNG Gold Public Relations Officer clarified.
Mr. Gbanken also announced the expected distribution of 450 whited solar lights across the district ahead of the festive season.
The lights, he stressed, are part of 1,000 lights also requested by Senator Moye to impact homes.
In response, Senator Prince Moye praised the company for meeting his request less than two years of his senatorial reign.
He assured that these lights will be installed within the concession area. Senator Moye wants the recipients properly handle them.
At the same time, Representative Albert Junior Hills who graced the donation in the district appreciated Senator Moye for his advocacy.
The donation was done over the weekend when the citizens requested the presences of their leaders, amid lingering reports of the exodus of the Company; although MNG Gold Liberia clarified that it’s slowing down due to the low price of gold on the international market.
Skepticism about motive of donation
Many political pundits thing that the recent donation, just an hour after a major meeting in Boinsen district, serves as bribery and softening the grounds for the company.
The want local leaders resist the bikes and lights, if they must get their concession benefits.
Recently, the Management of MNG Gold Liberia clarified that it’s not closing its operations, but is slowing due to downward trend in the price of gold.
Its General Manager Mr. Jean Yacin Curak further disclosed that they’re transporting equipment to Bea Mountain in Grand Cape Mount County.
He justified that they initially borrowed those equipment from the Company.
Apart from the plant processor or processing machine, he says, all machines were borrowed and are being returned.
Mr. Curak told the gathered citizens that the company will return to full operations when there’s an upward price of gold. He failed to state the full date of active service.
He was speaking when the citizens petitioned their leaders for the company to provide understanding of their exit.
They also requested for MNG Gold to fulfill their social responsibilities prior to their unceremonious departure.
The citizens earlier termed the abrupt departure as a total violation to section nine (9) of the Memorandum of Understanding between them and the company.
The section is summarized as “any party that intends to depart must submit a written communication to the next party”.
The citizens also want the completion of the ongoing vocational school, clinic facility, road rehabilitation, fulfillment of international scholarship that is yet to commence, provision of livelihood plans for them, amongst others before any exit.
In the absence of these, the affected communities have maintained that the company’s plan should be halted.