By Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
BOINSEN, BONG, Liberia- The chairperson of a mediating committee dubbed “Concerned Citizens” has announced a non- violent and sit-in protest at the MNG Gold Liberia, if their concerns aren’t satisfactorily addressed in a scheduled meeting.
MNG Gold has its operation area in Sayewheh Town, Boinsen district, 48KM from Gbarnga, the capital of Bong. Earlier report said that the company is at the verge of shutting down in the central Bong County. MNG Gold To Close Down Over Reported Political Pressure? – News Public Trust
The meeting is expected this Friday, December 2 in Sayewheh Town, Nickson Kpehe told journalists.
According to him, the meeting will enable the citizens have clearer understanding of the company’s reportedly pending exit including their benefits as a concession area.
Mr. Kpebe told journalists that, the company has consistently promised infrastructure development, but none has been fulfilled or dedicated.
He named the vocational training center, clinic facility, proper road connectivity, among others as promises not fully fulfilled; although the clinic and vocational training center projects are ongoing in Boinsen district.
It was further announced that if the plight of the citizens is not addressed, a non-violent and sit-in protest will be held this Friday.
Mr. Kpebe expressed dismay over the company’s reported action of shunning the media with information.
The disenchanted citizens are also seeking the attention of the county leadership including its caucus.
There has been mounting reports and speculations of an imminent exodus of MNG Gold Liberia from Bong County, although its Public Relations Officer, Mark Gbarken has denied the information.
He stressed that such information has not reached his office.
Meanwhile, sources have informed this Reporter that the gold mining company has cleaned and packed every equipment awaiting final departure.
Moreover, another meeting on Monday November 28, 2022 involving the workers’ union leadership and the company didn’t conclude as expected over a droplet being offered by the company as downsizing package, sources told our reporter after the heated meeting.
It has been rescheduled for today, Thursday in Monrovia.
Earlier, the Workers’ Union President, Mr. Obediah Diggs couldn’t confirm or deny the information.
“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 earlier informed journalists.
According to sources, the decision comes over an alleged row between the Government of Liberia, and the Turkish gold mining company over consistent refusal to rectify the Mineral Development Agreement signed between the government of Liberia and the company in 2018.
There has so far been no official response from the government.
Sources informed this outlet that authorities of MNG Gold had consistently persuaded officials of the Mines and Energy Ministry in allowing it continued its operations in the ‘Class A Mining License, to no avail.
This Reporter understands that at least 600 Liberian workers and contractors will be laid off during this closure exercise as a result of the termination of contracts.
Background
In 2018, a reservoir facility containing chemicals belonging to MNG-Gold, overflowed with rainwater and later spilled into the nearby Sein Creek-a major water source for residents in district which has now over spilled into other water sources in the Saywehta Town, Kokoyah Statutory District, Bong County.
In a phone conversation with Conteh Yallah, Kokoyah Statutory District Superintendent, since the chemical spillage, some of the citizens have complained of suffering from persistent stomach pain, running stomach, skin disease, rash and bloody stool.
Mr. Yallah said residents heavily depend on the creek for livelihood.
He narrated that authorities of MNG-Gold have failed to provide proper medical treatment to those poisonous chemicals had allegedly made sick.
It can be recalled on September 29, 2017, about 30 persons were admitted at the Phebe Hospital for exposure to a chemical spillover from MNG-Gold reservoir in Saywehta Town. The incident took place at one of the mining sites of MNG-Gold in the Kokoyah Statutory District after a heavy downpour.