The House of Representatives delegation to Kinjor, the operation area of Bea Mountain, has cautioned residents to remain calm and wait on the Legislature in finding a concrete solution to the concerns raised by them against the gold mining company, Bea Mountain. The Speaker of the House, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa, on Thursday, February 29, 2024 constituted an ad-hoc committee to immediately visit Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, upon receiving the news of the protest.
Residents of Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County, on Wednesday and Thursday went on the rampage against the only concession in the county, Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC), creating roadblocks and destroying several properties belonging to the company.
Members of the adhoc committee include Representatives Eugene Kollie, Siafa Kpoto, Mohammed Dosi, Yekeh Kolubah, Emmanuel Dahn, Folly Fahbulleh, Bintu Massally and Gbissi.
Upon arrival, aggrieved workers and residents of Kinjorpresented a 38-count petition to the delegation against Bea Mountain Mining Company. The petition was read and presented by the aggrieved workers and residents’Chairman, Morris Kaijolu, and Secretary, MoricusKarmon. The petition highlighted the bad labor practice and unconducive work environment. The aggrieved workers, through their petition, appealed to the lawmakers to quickly address their concerns or the protest will continue.
Responding to the petition on behalf of the committee, the House’s Committee Chair on Executive and member of the ad-hoc committee, Emmanuel Dahn, urged the workers and residents of Kinjor to remain calm as the Legislature looks into the issues raised by them. He said members of the Legislature are concerned about all the points mentioned in the petition and, therefore, is working out the modality to resolve the situation permanently.
The protest started on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 following a meeting held between Grand Cape Mount County’s district #2 Representative, Mohammed Dosi, and residents of Golgoma, Matambo corridor, Grand Cape Mount County.
Residents of the county have often time protested against the company for bad labor practice, not upholding the mineral development agreement and not employing qualified Liberians to key positions at the mines. They recently frowned at the huge presence of police and army officers at the company, as well as the mines, which they claimed was instilling fear in the residents.
Residents of Kinjor and aggrieved workers previously gave the company a 30-count resolution to meet up with, but the company seems adamant in this regard. As a result, the citizens resolved to initiate a peaceful protest to draw the attention of the government, and created roadblocks to hinder the operation of the company until it gives them a listening ear.
Meanwhile, the House’s delegation extended condolences to families that lost their relatives as the result of the protest. They also assured them of doing everything possible to have justice for those who lost their family members.
