MARSHALL – Residents of Ben’s Town in Marshall City have expressed dissatisfaction over the vibration and noise produced by East International Construction Company’s rock-crushing machine, which has resulted in damage to several homes.
By Francis Boayue
The community dwellers of Ben’s Town staged a protest on Thursday, marking their third protest in a year. They expressed their discontent over the location of the East International rock quarry site, which is situated in a residential area. This placement has caused gradual destruction of homes through crack marks on walls and has contributed to growing health and mental tensions, leading to high blood pressure due to the machines used to crush rocks.
The controversial road construction company, which is handling the Roberts International Airport highway construction project, has faced severe pressure from the residents of Ben’s Town to relocate. This pressure stems from several health and infrastructure hazards caused by their presence in Ben’s Town, Marshall City.
Mr. Clarence Mulbah, Chairman of the community, spoke to the press during the protest. He stated that since the arrival of East International with their rock-crushing machine in the community, their family lives have been insecure. Pregnant women find it difficult to survive in the area due to the severe ground blasting, which leads to intense vibrations on their homes.
“Since East International came in with their rock-crushing machine in the community, there has been no rest for our homes because each time they are crushing rocks with their machine, heavy vibrations can shake the houses, resulting in cracks on the walls and destroyed window panes,” said Mulbah.
According to him, there have been several meetings with the company, the community, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Lands, Mines, and Energy regarding the damages caused, but nothing fruitful has been achieved.
He further called on the new government headed by Amb. Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., to intervene swiftly on their behalf. He referred to Amb. Boakai as the RESCUE Father of Liberia, urging him to ensure calm is restored in the community.
The Youth Chair of the Community, Michael Momo, stated that the blasting has caused damage to the home of his Aunt, Ms. Josephine Harris, resulting in over a million USD in gradual destruction. He called on the Liberian government to intervene and relocate East International due to the danger they pose to the community.
“We are now appealing to the government of Liberia, headed by Amb. Boakai, to see how best they can intervene by engaging with the management of East International to find another location for such work, which is causing more harm to the people of Ben’s Town, Marshall City,” he added.
Another resident in the area, Nelson M. Dorah, mentioned that as a result of the rock crushing and blasting by East International, his house is now cracked, and his ceiling has started to drop. He emphasized that there has been no redress from the company to pay for damages.