Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-04-09 01:25:00
The issue of non-payment of social development funds by the mining firm, China-Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd, has deep-rooted origins that have come to light through an independent investigation. Contrary to recent statements made by the company regarding owing social corporate funds to the Government of Liberia for eight years, it has been uncovered that the Margibi Legislative Caucus from the former 54th Legislature waived these funds for several years.
The decision to waive the social development funds owed by China-Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd was made under the leadership of former Representative Ben A. Fofana of Margibi District #4. This move received strong criticism from stakeholders in the county back in 2023. The company’s Public Relations Officer, Morris Tate, revealed during a ceremony in Kakata, Margibi County, that they had not been operating or fulfilling their social corporate responsibility for the past eight years.
However, investigations have shown that the Margibi County Legislative Caucus, led by Ben A. Fofana, waived a significant percentage of the social funds owed by the company, citing their lack of operations as the reason for the waiver. In 2023, the company made a payment of US$1 million to the central government on behalf of Margibi County, instead of the full amount owed, which sums up to more than US$1 million when calculated for the years the payments were missed.
There are allegations that the company provided kickbacks to lawmakers from the county in exchange for the waiver of the social development funds. It was also reported that influential figures, such as current Senator Nathaniel McGill, had intervened to halt the remittance of funds to the county under the pretext that the money was being used for campaigns. Bong and Montserrado Counties are believed to have engaged in similar practices of waiving funds in exchange for kickbacks.
China-Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd recently disclosed that around 80% of its operations are in Margibi, further emphasizing the significance of the owed social development funds to the county. The actions of the company have been met with disappointment by the people of Margibi, who feel that the company’s readiness to pay the owed funds now is deceitful, considering the previous agreements made with the caucuses of the counties.
In conclusion, the non-payment of social development funds by China-Union Investment (Liberia) Bong Mines Co. Ltd has brought to light issues of corruption, influence peddling, and lack of accountability within the mining sector in Liberia. The company’s actions have not only affected the people of Margibi but have also tarnished the reputation of the mining industry in the country. It is crucial for transparency and accountability to be upheld to ensure that social development funds are utilized for the betterment of the communities and regions they are intended for.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
