Gbarnga, Bong County –With funding from the European Union through the German Corporation (GIZ/ReGo), Civics and Service International (CSI) has ended a daylong Multi-stakeholders’ dialogue in Gbarmue Town, Jorquelleh District number three.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
Held under the theme: “Promoting Accountability and Peace through Community Based Monitoring” the dialogue brought together dozens of citizens from four major towns in Jorpolu Clan, Bong County Electoral District three, which include Gbarmue, Banama, Kpaii, and Jackson’s Village respectively.
Giving an overview of the dialogue, Mr. Otis S. Bundor, the Country Director of CSI said: “ Today we are concluding our last Multi-stakeholder dialogue and we will provide findings from the last micro-perception survey, a water quality test and establishment of an Independent Complaint Feedback Mechanism that will serve as a platform to resolve conflict and promote the interest of the affected towns, Jopulu Clan, Jorquelleh District, Bong County.”
Mr. Bundor explained that since the launch of the organization’s project titled: “Enhancing Accountable Governance in Mining Communities”, they have been engaged in several activities ranging from the conduct of surveys on the company’s operations in the Community, the promotion of peaceful coexistence, education of citizens about their rights and responsibilities as well as water quality tests.
Presenting findings of their second survey conducted in April of this year, CSI’s Country Director indicated that approximately 842 community dwellers from the affected towns were interviewed during the exercise.
The report which is divided into six categories focuses on, Mine relations, Quality of life measures, Knowledge about the MoU, Peacebuilding as well as water quality tests from four locations in the regions.
In an effort to understand the relationship between the mining company and the affected communities, Mr. Bundor said CSI asked questions such as, “How satisfied are you with the mining company’s effort?” “Do you or your relatives work for the mining company?” The results for the baseline and post-baseline indicate that 93 percent of the baseline and 97% in the post-baseline (494 and 819 respondents) are unhappy, 4 percent in the baseline and less than 1 percent (19 respondents) are very happy while the remaining 3 percent in the baseline and 2 percent in the post-baseline (18 and 21 respondents) are not happy or unhappy. 95 percent of the respondents or their relatives do not work for Huiren Incorporated in the baseline and 98 percent in the post-baseline while 5 percent in the baseline and 2 percent in the post-baseline work with the company as contractors- miners, blasters, lab technicians, drillers, etc.
Under the quality of life, Mr. Otis Bundor said basic social amenities are lacking; To know the reality of the affected mining communities of Hurine Incorporated, CSI seeks to know about the quality of healthcare, education, drinking water, etc. The findings show that 98 percent in the baseline and 95 percent do not have good healthcare, 95 percent in both the baseline and post-baseline do not have a good education, 57 percent in the baseline and 51 percent in the post-baseline get water from open wells, 38 percent in the baseline and 37 percent in post-baseline from pumps, 3 percent in the baseline and 1 percent drink mineral water, and 2 percent in the baseline and 10 percent in the post-baseline from creeks. Most of the respondents accounting for 43 percent in the baseline and 75 percent in the post-baseline feel the water is safe but small.
Relative to the MoU, 94 percent in the baseline survey heard nothing about the MoU and 95 percent of the respondents in the baseline had no knowledge about the MoU, but after intense house-to-house awareness by the volunteers and the use of innovative approaches such as live radio program, airing of jingles in Liberian English and the Kpelleh dialect, and the display of murals, 96 percent heard about both the MoU and Huiren Mining License. In addition, 95 percent of the respondent’s knowledge increased about the MoU from 5 percent. Some of the responses include the building of roads, bridges, schools, etc.
In their report, CSI said mining communities are prone to violence and Liberia is no exception. So, their project seeks to promote peaceful coexistence and the establishment of peace-building mechanism platforms while holding the company and other stakeholders accountable.
While in the communities, CSI’s team gauged community dwellers with questions such as, “What are the types of conflicts/complaints the community has with the mining companies? Have there been solutions to these conflicts/complaints? Are you aware of any grievance mechanisms in place to solve your problem? Do you have any structure at the community level to solve your conflicts?”
According to their findings, the three highest types of conflict are land at 34 percent in the baseline and 39 percent in the post-baseline, environmental pollution at 34 percent and 4 percent in the post-baseline, and unpaid fees at 32 percent in the baseline and 57 percent in the post-baseline.
In Figure 14, 98 percent of the respondents in the baseline and 99 percent in the post-baseline said they have had no solution to these conflicts and most of them accused their local officials of refusing to listen to the citizens, but prioritized Huiren Mining Company.
At the dialogue, CSI in collaboration with residents of the affected communities also established an Independent Complain Feedback Mechanism (ICFM). Currently, there are 15 members comprising, local chiefs, youth and women leaders, a representative from Huiren Mining company, and the District Commissioner, Mrs. Fatu Q. Binnay. During the event, an interim leadership was set up to stare the affairs of the ICFM- Pastor Othello Toeh and Naomi Paukma will serve as chair and co-chairperson respectively while Wiston Varwulu will serve as General Secretary.
It is expected that appointed local government officials and Huiren Mining Company will serve as Ex-officials with no voting rights.
The Independent Complaint Feedback Mechanism is tasked with the responsibility of handling all conflict and development-related issues between the affected communities and the Huiren mining company. As was asserted, the representative of Huiren Mining Company, Mr. Daniel Toe promised to work with the ICFM and look forward to the revision of the MoU.
For the Water quality test results, the CSI report shows that there were spillages of metalloid elements called Arsenic that were discovered in the Luwor stream around the mining site. Arsenic, according to their research is naturally present at high levels in the groundwater and derives from the smelting of minerals such as gold. Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation, and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic.
Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In utero and early childhood, exposure has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased deaths in young adults. The most important action in affected communities is the prevention of further exposure to arsenic by provision of a safe water supply.
Remarking on the dialogue, Mr. Samuel Summerville the Technical Advisor of German Corporation (GIZ) applauded CSI for the job well done in that part of Liberia.
He at the same time disclosed that CSI is the first organization under their current sponsorship to conduct tests on the quality of water in communities that are affected by mining companies across the Country.
Also speaking, Madam Fatu Binnay, the newly appointed Commissioner of Jorquelleh Administrative District 1 reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that the District and its citizenry get the needed benefits from resources that are extracted in the region. Can you a quote from her?
Liberia is rich in natural resources, especially minerals- iron ore, gold, diamond, bauxite, manganese, etc. Among these minerals, iron ore, diamond, and gold are mined intensively across Liberia. These minerals contribute immensely to Liberia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the national budget has surged as a result of the extractive. However, indigenous communities are adversely affected and have little or no benefit to improve their welfare.