The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has expressed utter dismay and condemned in the strongest terms, recent violent protest, massive looting and destruction of facilities belonging to Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC) by some citizens of Grand Cape Mount County in Kinjor, which led to the loss of lives and properties.
Recently, citizens of Grand Cape Mount County led a violent protest against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation for allegedly engaging into unfair labor practices. They then called on the management of Bea Mountain to remove Debar Allen as General Manager of Bea Mountain for a son of the county to occupy the job.
“Investigation conducted by the Civil Society Network of Liberia on the violent incident in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, established that the violent protest was in violation of an MOU agreement reached by citizens of Gola Konneh District and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, halting all protests against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation for a period of four years. We also gathered that the protest was incited by some prominent sons of Grand Cape Mount County for their personal aggrandizements. We call on the Liberia National Police to expeditiously investigate the incident, and bring the perpetrators to justice. The perpetrators of the violence at Bea Mountain operational sites undermined and destabilized the peaceful co-existence of the citizens in Kinjor, and the concession company. Since the commencement of the company’s expansion, it has employed over four thousand workers, and more than six thousands contractors, most of whom are Liberians. This expansion has also increased the company’s tax portfolio to Liberia. Therefore, if investigation is not conducted to bring the perpetrators to justice, as a means of deterrence, it has the proclivity to drive away investors, and scare away investments in Liberia. This could also lead to the loss of several jobs for Liberians,” the Civil Society Network of Liberia observed in a press release. According to the release, “The Civil Society Network of Liberia investigation also established that Grand Cape Mount County’s district #2 Representative, Mohammed Dosi, was publicly seen facilitating the violence in Kinjor against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation. The Liberia National Police and Ministry of Information is on record for saying that a certain lawmaker incited the violence. Representative Mohammed Dosi must be brought to account for his role in the Kinjor violent fracas, which cost the loss of lives and properties. No one is above the law; as such, Representative Dosi and all those behind the Kinjor violence must be investigated and prosecuted. We are disappointed that the Liberia National Police is yet to arrest and charge all those who orchestrated the violence against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation; which disrupted the peace, caused the deaths of few persons and the destruction of the company’s facilities.
“While the Civil Society Network of Liberia believes in the protection of civil rights and the compliance of the MDA Agreement with the Government of Liberia, we will not support people to use the citizens to venture out their personal interests. Our investigation discovered that some individuals with vested interests are also behind fueling the conflicts between Bea Mountain and the citizens of Kinjor. Some citizens, who are suppliers of goods and services with high prices are unjustifiably aggrieved that Bea Mountain Management are not purchasing from them. And as a company, Bea Mountain has the normal choice to take the best possible low prices. It is not logical for Bea Mountain to purchase fuels, gasoline and other consumables at high prices from these aggrieved suppliers when there are suppliers with lower prices for these goods and services. Therefore, we urge the individuals who are bent on preying on the ignorance of our peaceful citizens to stop fomenting pandemonium that could scare away investors.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia is appalled and disgusted that few citizens of Grand Cape Mount County will see the General Manger of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation, Mr. Debar Allen as the obstacle to the company’s compliance to the terms and conditions spelled out in the Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Government of Liberia and the company. If there seems to be some negligence on the part of the company to adhere to MDA enshrined agreements, there are laid down procedures through which the company can be compelled to comply. For a handful of citizens, seemingly backed by a lawmaker in Mohammed Dosi and some prominent sons of the county to incite protests, and hold Mr. Debar Allen responsible for such alleged negligence is preposterous and ridiculous. We believe that the existence of any alleged unfair labor practices at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation must be investigated by the Liberian Government, instead of holding Mr. Allen responsible for such. Hence, the Ministry of Labor needs to launch an investigation into alleged unfair labor practice, in order to restore peace and harmony among the workforce of BMMC. So, the calls by a few citizens of Grand Cape Mount County for the Management of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation to remove Mr. Debar Allen, a son of Grand Bassa as General Manager of the company is divisive and has the potential to fuel tribal conflicts in Liberia. Mr. Debar Allen is a Liberian who is qualified and competent for the position. Since the establishment of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation in Liberia, Mr. Allen has served with diligence, dedication and competence as General Manger of the company. This qualified and competent Liberia was hired in compliance with the MDA Agreement which calls for a Liberian to occupy such senior management position. There is absolutely no valid reason and legal reliance why a Liberian, like Mr. Debar Allen should be removed as General Manger of an investment, when he has shown no cause to be dismissed.
“It is important to note that all Liberians, irrespective of your county of origin has the right to occupy any senior management positions in any investments in Liberia, once you meet the criteria for such position. It is also interesting to note that there are Liberians from other counties, like Grand Cape Mount who occupy senior management positions within other concession companies operating in different counties, like the one occupy by a Mr. Debar Allen, a son of Grand Bassa County at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation. As an example, currently there are several Liberians hailing from different county who are serving in senior management positions at concession companies not operating within their counties of origin. If we were to name them, we will be opening a pandora box for more calls and protests.
Therefore, we call on citizens fueling the calls for Mr. Debar Allen’s removal as General Manger of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation to redirect their calls to members of the Liberian Government to exhaust the necessary mechanisms that will compelled Bea Mountain to be in compliance with the MDA Agreements between Liberia and the company. Over the years, Mr. Debar Allen has ensured that Bea Mountain Mining Corporation regularly paid taxes due Liberian, and that the welfare of Liberians working at the company are prioritized.
“The Civil Society Network of Liberia once again calls on state security, especially the Liberia National Police to investigate circumstances leading to the violence and subsequent vandalization of Bea Mountain operations, which led to the deaths and injury of several Liberians. For investors to invest in a country, security of the investment is key. If Liberia is to progress, citizens need to adopt constructive approach in resolving issues. It is only in peace and unity that we Liberians can impress on Bea Mountain Mining Corporation, through constructive engagement that we can benefit from our natural resources. We also need to oppose all creeping forms of tribalism and favoritism. Since Mr. Debar Allen is a qualified and competent Liberian, who enjoys the confidence of the Management of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation. We call for calm and unity in among the Citizens of Grand Cape Mount in Kinjor. Let us allow the Legislature, charged with the authority to review concessionaire to investigate the alleged unfair labor practices of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation in adherence to the MDA.”