KINJOR/MONROVIA: The Committee on Mines, Energy and Labor of the House of Representatives has begun a probe of allegations of security threats and violation of the rule of law at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.
Grand Cape Mount County is in Western Liberia with 147,151 population. The investigation by the House’s committee comes amid a request by Grand Bassa County District#5 Representative, Thomas A. Goshua, for the body to probe allegations of hostility as reported by some residents of his constituency.
In a communication to the House Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the Grand Bassa County Lawmaker stated that it was brought to his attention by members of his constituency that some individuals believed to be workers of the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation, allegedly engaged in violent activities on the compounds of the entity on June 4, 2023.
Rep. Goshua claimed in his communication that the rampaging employees beat-up and mobbed several employees of the company including expats and the company’s lawyer who was nearly killed, something he believes, is a potential threat to national security and the rule of law.
He added that with these violent conducts ongoing, the several affected expats and Liberian workers exposed to these forms of threats are likely to organize themselves in self-defense, a move which may not be good for the country.
“I also have documents in my possession which show that the Ministry of Justice and the Liberian National Police also received these complaints nearly two weeks ago. Unfortunately, the law enforcement authorities directly failed to take action to investigate or make any arrest. I think the Police has reneged on its function to investigate these allegations”, Rep. Goshua stated.
Furthermore, Rep. Goshua indicated that it is also alleged that the company had met with the Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs, Labor, and Mines and Energy to seek Government’s action but to no avail which he described as “troubling” and undermines all efforts to attract investors to Liberia.
“Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, what is even troubling is a sequence of allegations that the Minister of Labour is an instigator of this violence or disruption at Bea Mountain. I know of a similar set of allegations against the Minister relating to recent disruptions at ArcelorMittal Liberia and within other concessions”, he added.
The Grand Bassa Legislator said that the Government’s law enforcement responsibility should not be overlooked especially during this election year.
“Particularly, Distinguished Colleagues, we should never condone impunity for any political reasons, because to do so will only promote a culture of violence and lawlessness”, he indicated. Courtesy-LINA.
