IPNEWS: Grand Bassa County lawmaker Thomas Goshua has written a complaint to the leadership of the House of Representatives on behalf of a member of his constituency who works for Bea Mountain Mining Corporation in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County.
The complaint alleged among other things that on June 4, 2023, a certain group of persons believed to be in the employ of Bea Mountain engaged in violent activities wherein they mobbed and beat up several employees of the company (including experts and the company’s lawyer who was nearly
killed).
The violent conduct is ongoing as several expats and Liberian workers exposed to these forms of threats are likely to organize themselves in self-defense.
The Grand Bassa County Lawmaker said he has documents in his possession which show that the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Police also received these complaints nearly two weeks ago.
“Unfortunately, the law enforcement authorities directly failed to take any action to investigate or make any arrest. In other words, the Police has reneged on its function to investigate these allegations”.
Furthermore, “I learned that the company met with the Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs, Labor, and Mines and Energy to seek Government’s action but to no avail”.
Rep. Thomas Goshua said it’s troubling and undermines all their efforts to attract investors to Liberia, 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”.
In furtherance to their oversight responsibility and the principle of check and balance, “I respectfully urge that the Plenary investigate this matter and to begin with inviting the Minister of Justice, Minister of Labour, Inspector General of Police, and the Minister of Mines and Energy to appear before us to respond to queries concerning this matter.”
He said this cannot be overlooked by the Government’s law enforcement agencies especially during this election year.
“Particularly, distinguished colleagues, we should never condone impunity for any political reasons, because to do so will only promote the culture of violence and lawlessness.”
Meanwhile following the reading of the Grand Bassa County Lawmaker’s communication it was forwarded to the Committee on Mines Energy, and Labor Committee to report within two weeks. By Taisiah K. Merfee
