By Mack Rogers
Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County – Latest reports reaching this outlet indicate that the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC) gold mining site in Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County is in a lockdown mode, as citizens protest against the company for replacing Liberians with Turkish nationals and for refusing to live up to their concession agreement, leading to the burning of two vehicles allegedly by the protestors. It is also gathered that the Liberian National Police (LNP) fired live bullets and teargas, leaving one citizen allegedly killed, and a baby teargassed. According to our reporter, the LNP on Thursday deployed PSU officers in Kinjor, aboard PSU vehicles licensed PSU 18 LNP 05 and LNP 05-7.
It can be recalled that the BMMC Kinjor site got tense last Thursday following the unleashing of the “Country Devil”, with the citizens reportedly demanding the exit of the SOGUSS Security Firm from Kinjor.
Since Thursday, business people including others who are not members of the Poro society continue to remain indoor. According to the residents, since SOGUSS was hired by the Bea Mountain Company some 15 years ago, they haven’t held a single meeting with the citizens, and that the firm has refused to provide the indigenes job opportunities.
Prior to the Thursday incident which led to the abduction of three BMMC employees including one expat, the residents informed this outlet that they had written the Cape Mount Legislative Caucus including the county authorities without redress.
Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent Aaron Vincent on Friday, January 7, 2022 went to resolve the issue but his efforts remained fruitless up to press time. All efforts to contact the leadership of the SOGUSS security firm proved futile as the firm did not respond to calls and texts from our reporter.
Meanwhile, three members of the Grand Cape Mount County Legislative Caucus have called on the protesters in Kinjor to calm down on their protest demands while as they look into their concerns. The protestors are also demanding for the pavement of the road from Kinjor to Daniel Town, the electrification of Kinjor, and that all Turkish workers doing jobs meant for Liberians should leave. They also demanded that those Liberians who were recently sacked by the company should be reinstated; as well as relocation of Weajue before the company can recommence operation there.
Senator Simeon Taylor, Representatives Bob Sheriff and Emerson Kamara enjoined the protesters to remain moderate and avoid destroying properties while their concerns are being addressed.
