Several residents of Gold Camp Town have taken a stand against the Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC) by setting roads block on major roads in their communities expressing frustration over what they have described as been neglected by the company over years.
This bold action underscores the growing dissatisfaction among the citizens who their accusation pointed fingers at the multi-billion-dollar corporation of failing to fulfill promises made to communities in their areas of operations.
At the forefront of the protest was Madam Konah Yoko, a former Town Chief of Gold Camp, who has voiced the community’s collective anger and disappointment. The residents argued that despite the wealth generated by BMMC’s mining operations, the company has failed to address the community’s basic needs, leaving major roads in a very deplorable conditions.
They further argued that the company has neglected essential services such as education and healthcare to community dwellers as promised. The situation has become increasingly dire for the residents, who cited the lack of proper schools and healthcare facilities as major concerns.
According to information, Pregnant women are often compelled to travel long distances to Lofa Bridge for medical care, in the presence of the high risk to accidents due to the poor state of the roads.
The educational facilities provided by BMMC have also been criticized, with reports that children have no option but to sit on the floor to takes their lessons due to inadequate sitting capacity and the lack of school infrastructures.
In response to these grievances, the protestors have mandated BMMC to take immediate action in ensuring that major roads in the district are the rehabilitated, build proper schools with adequate sitting capacity for school going children.
The also demanded that the company invests in the empowerment of women and youth in the community to independently sustain themselves.
The residents have made it clear that the protests will continue until their demands are met. Mr. Capi Yambasu, the Co-chair of the protesters has also criticized BMMC for benefiting from the local road infrastructure without contributing to its maintenance. He emphasized that despite repeated appeals to the company, their concerns have been ignored, leaving the community with no choice but to escalate their actions. As tensions rises, the residents of Gold Camp Town remain resolute in their stance, awaiting a response from BMMC that will determine the next steps in this unfolding situation.
