Citizens Grade Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh Zero as China Union Communities Decry Pollution, Deaths and Seventeen Years of Neglect

Bong County, Liberia:Residents within the China Union concession area in Bong, Margibi and Montserrado Counties have sharply criticized Bong County District #7 Representative Foday Fahnbulleh, grading his leadership “zero” over what they described as his failure to defend citizens against years of environmental pollution, dangerous living conditions and unfulfilled concession promises by the company.

During a mass meeting in Nenperkollie Town, Bong County, angry residents accused China Union and companies operating within its concession area of contaminating their only source of drinking water with chemicals allegedly discharged into nearby creeks and streams. According to the citizens, the water has turned brown and unsafe for consumption, placing thousands of residents at risk of serious sickness and long-term health complications.

The residents also blamed ongoing blasting activities by the company for causing fear, destruction and loss of lives within nearby communities.

They alleged that the explosions continue to damage homes and affect the health and safety of vulnerable citizens, while authorities remain silent despite repeated complaints from affected residents.

Citizens further disclosed that pregnant women have reportedly lost their babies because of the lack of healthcare facilities and the terrible condition of roads leading to distant hospitals outside the concession area. According to residents, China Union promised to construct a hospital as part of its social development commitments in the 2009 concession agreement but has failed to fulfill that obligation after seventeen years of operation.

The deteriorating condition of the bridge connecting Nenperkollie Town to Bong Mines and surrounding communities was also highlighted as another major danger confronting residents daily. Community members described the bridge as a death trap built with old logs and dangerous open spaces that continue to threaten the lives of passengers, business people and commercial drivers using the route.

Speaking to K-NEWS, Stephen Lawoubah Moore, Chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Bong, Margibi and Montserrado Counties for Transformation and Accountability, said concession communities have been abandoned while lawmakers and concession companies continue benefiting from the country’s natural resources.

“We graded Representative Foday Fahnbulleh zero because he has completely failed the people,” Moore declared. “Before he became lawmaker, he was one of the strongest voices against the company, but today the suffering of the people has increased and he remains silent while citizens continue drinking polluted water and dying from hardship.”

Moore noted that Representative Fahnbulleh’s current position as Chair on Concessions at the House of Representatives places him in a powerful position to pressure China Union into complying with its social responsibilities, but alleged that no meaningful action has been taken on behalf of affected communities.

He further accused Representative Fahnbulleh and Margibi County District #4 Representative Emmanuel Yarh of failing to protect the interests of the people who elected them, claiming that both lawmakers have allowed concession companies to continue operating without accountability while citizens remain trapped in poverty and dangerous living conditions.

“The continuous peace pipe being smoked by Representative Emmanuel Yarh and Representative Foday Fahnbulleh means their leadership has been compromised against the interest of the citizens,” Moore said. “Concession companies are benefiting from our resources while the people are suffering without roads, hospitals, safe drinking water and jobs.”