By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
BOINSEN, Bong, Liberia- Lingering information within the corridors of a Turkish Mining Company, MNG Gold Liberia says the company is at the verge of shutting down in the central Bong County.
The decision, some workers who prefer anonymity, alleged that it is as a result of reported political pressure being exerted on the company from some unnamed Liberian government officials. The exact nature of the pressure is not yet known.
MNG Gold has its operation area in Sayewheh Town, Boinsen district, 48KM from Gbarnga, the capital of Bong.
There has been no official response to the uneasiness at MNG Gold from the government.
According to them, the mass exodus will take place beginning November 30, 2022.
They told our reporter that unspecified employees, including services of contractors are expected to be terminated.
The reported downsizing package, there is any, is unknown, one informed source said.
Inside sources have told the Bong County Correspondent of this news outlet that “the company has packed and cleaned every equipment awaiting the final date”.
According to them, mining works have stalled recently due to the latest development.
“We are hearing information that the company will be closed because the government is requesting certain paper from the company, but the company isn’t providing it,” they said.
“As we speak, there’s no mining activity in that fence because they have washed those machines and pack them and just waiting,” the MNG Gold workers who preferred anonymity told this Reporter.
“We don’t even know whether they will settle it because it will render us jobless,” they cried.
“My son, we don’t even know what to do now. I have never even slept since I got the information. It will good for us to be here hustling while they are working,” another worker stated
Workers Union neither confirms nor denies
Also speaking in a brief mobile phone conversation, its Workers’ Union President, Mr. Obediah Diggs couldn’t confirm or deny the information.
Diggs announced a meeting with MNG Gold management on Monday, November 28 to have a clearer understanding before officially speaking to the media.
“What I heard in the corridor was verbal. I don’t give credence to oral conversations. When I meet them [management] officially on Monday, I will revert to the media. That’s what I can say for now,” he intoned.
When contacted, MNG Gold Liberia’s public relations officer, Mark Gbarken denied the lingering report.
According to Mr. Gbarken, such information has not officially reached his office.
“It’s not true. If it is, it will reach my office before going to the public,” he told our reporter via phone.
He also declined to comment further on the situation.
Efforts are being made to access local officials and other stakeholders to shed light on the current situation which MNG Gold workers fear could put their jobs in jeopardy.