PHOTO: Some of the homes damaged by the blasting of rocks
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
FISH TOWN, Liberia- The Chinese road construction company (CHICO) has reportedly failed to take responsibility for the damage done to several homes and private structures in River Gee County as a result of the blasting of rocks on the highway being constructed in the area, more than 517 kilometers southeast of Monrovia.
But victims of the damaged properties have now threatened to take unspecified actions against the Chinese company.
On December 30, 2020, this company is said to have done a ”pre-mature” blasting which affected several houses and shops in the River Gee capital, Fish Town.
Prior, to the blasting of huge rocks, CHICO management informed the county authority that they were going to do control blasting without any property destruction but contrary to their view, ten houses including shop were completely destroyed at the result of the blasting.
Following their verbal statement to the County’s authorities, they were instructed by Superintendent by Philip Q. Nyenuh to do a formal communication rather than verbal statement, something they did.
After their blasting which led to several properties destruction, series of meetings were organized by the county authority to know how they will do payment for the damaged properties. During the meeting the Chinese company management did promise to pay the damaged done to the locals’ properties.
But after few days, CHICO’s management reversed their decision and instead shifted blame on the Public Works Ministry, on grounds that those damaged homes were already marked by the Public Works earlier.
Therefore, the Public Works Ministry should take the responsibility forthe damages incurred.
After the blame shifting, a call was placed to the Acting Public Works Minister Ruth Coker Collins on the matter.
But the acting Minister of Public Works said that the blasting done by CHICO Construction Company was pre-mature, and therefore they should shoulder the responsibility for the damaged homes and shops.
Information gathered says the Chinese company only paid shop owners for their damaged goods and reportedly left out those with the damaged homes.
However, victims of the damaged properties have threatened a road block in the major streets of Fish Town until their plight are met.
The victims earlier threatened protest upon President George Weah’s arrival in the county recently.
But a meeting was held with them by authorities of the county to stop their protest from taking place, until the President left the area, something the victims listened to and decided to halt the planned protest.
Meanwhile, River Gee County Superintendent Nyenuh has communicated to the River Gee County Legislative caucus on the matter and says he is not in the mood to compromise the citizens’ interest.
Officials of the Chinese road construction company so far could not be reached.