As Universal Forestry Company Cautions Citizens To Desist From Invading Its Property
By E. Festus G. Frazer, Jr, efgfrazerjr@gmail.com
TAPPITA, Liberia- The Universal Forestry Cooperation and mining company operating in Gbianipea Town in Nimba County and residents of the affected 4Gs communities.
These communities–Gbianipea, Guah Town, Granpea and Gbloguea– are expected to review the Social agreement.
The decision comes after locals of the affected communities attempted to protest what they called “the illegal operation by the company.
It can be recalled that residents of the affected communities on June 29, 2020, were seen blocking the road leading to the mining site of the company.
The attempted protesters assembled at the main entrance of the company in their numbers to stop employees of the company entering the company promises.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the company Mr. Sam Larmah, the protesters the protest was aborted after the traditional liaison of the company intervened by appealing to the protesters to forgo the their planned protest.
“On Monday, June 29, 2020, when we came to work, we saw group of people at the entrance of company’s facility. When we asked, they said they’ve come to protest so as to stop us from working for that day. They were able to leave after our traditional liaison talked to them to stop because their actions have the propensity to cause the company to incur financial loses.”
According to the chairman of the protesters, Mr. Emmanuel G. Karnuah, the aborted their actions due to a communication they received during the morning hours of the protesters from the Statutory District Superintendent about a meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2020. He said, due to the respect they had for their local leaders they decided to abandon their plans.
“He did not abort our actions because of fear or bribe but due to the respect we have for our local leaders. They already told us that therefore will be a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at the Civic compound. We are going there to express all our concerns.”
Also speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Public Relations Officer of the UFC, Mr. Sam Larmah said, they have resolved to review the Social Agreement by the company officials and the affected communities. He further asserted that they are waiting for the Statutory District superintendent shall written the company, outlining reason (s) for the revision.
“We agreed to do the revision but we waiting for the Statutory District Superintendent to communicate with our bosses indicating the reason (s) for the revision.”
When quizzed about the fulfilment of projects captured in the agreement, the UFC PRO said, the company is willing to implement the projects, especially the Tappita -Gbianipea road. He further indicated their plans to construct the road was interrupted by the rainy season.
“The road is our major concern. Had it not been the rainy season, we would have completed the road from Tappita to Gbianipea. But, we are going to start it as soon as the rainy season subsides,” he concluded.
The meeting was attended by scores of citizens in Tappita, including local government officials.