Citizens of Gola Konneh District, in Grand Cape Mount County have firmly distanced themselves from a staged protest action against Bea Mountain Mining Corporation by those they term as job seekers.
On Thursday, 7th March 2024 some individuals claiming residential rights in the concession area of BMMC gathered at the grounds of the Capitol Building with placards calling for the removal of Mr. Debar Allen, Country General Manager of BMMC and replaced by a Cape Mountainian Sando Wayne.
But sharply reacting to their claims, the citizens of the concession area clarified that the protesters are neither residents of Gola Konneh District, nor do they have any direct link with the Company.
The Gola Konneh District citizens believe the actions of the protesters are intended to introduce a tribal war between the Vai and the Gola, noting that those involved are 99.9% Vai and family members of a failed politician, Sando Wayne who was once dismissed by the Company and was also dismissed allegedly for illegal acts by former Vice President, His Excellency Joseph N. Boakai, now President of the Republic of Liberia.
They believe relieving any Liberian citizen from their jobs or replacing them based on ethnicity may create serious hatred and resentment against Cape Mount citizens working and residing in other parts of the country.
“Gola Konneh District is concerned, and is calling on the Government of Liberia to launch a speedy intervention into the matter, as those involved in the protest are not indigenous. They are not citizens of Gola Konneh District where 99.9% of the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation currently operates,” they emphasize in a unified tone.
According to the Gola Konneh Citizens, those protesting against the company are job seekers who do not even have a property in the concession area.
The citizens further urged the Liberian Government to strongly warm the protestors with a sinister motive to desist from looking for jobs for their family members through such a form and manner.
We the people of Gola Konneh District want the government to ensure that the protesters are investigated for burglarizing and damaging private properties and looting many valuable items in Kinjor.
Meanwhile, the Gola Konneh Citizens have expressed sincere gratitude to the Management of Bea Mountain Mining Corporation for its continuous developmental activities for the citizens of Gola Konneh District.
The citizens said despite some challenges and other matters, there are always amicable ways to engage the Company to address rising concerns but stressed that no unknown group of people claiming to be citizens of the area will be allowed to stage any proxy war against the entity under their watch.
