By Nasratu Kargbo
Rivers across the countries have been polluted due to Illicit mining across the country, according to MPs. They raised concerns over the contamination of rivers and how this has affected locals in those communities.
Acting Leader of Opposition and Minority Leader Alfred Ayodele Thompson whilst addressing the presidential nominee for the position of Director General at the National Mineral Agency (NMA) Haji Daboh on the 19th October 2023, said that the use of mercury chemical in the waters is harmful to humans, stating that people in those areas get sick without knowing the cause of their illness.
He explained that the chemical affects the country’s waters which according him spoils the ecosystem, and in turn affects marine life people feed on.
The MP called on the nominee to put things in place to see that the waters are clean.
Member of Parliament representing Falaba, District Mohamed Billoh Shaw explained that the country’s waters are polluted citing Taia River, all the rivers in Falaba and different mining communities. He explained that the water is no longer fit for purpose, as the people can no longer use the water to perform their domestic activities.
“We owe a duty to our people; they voted for us, we must see that we protect them. One way to protect them is to ensure that the water is safe for their consumption” Shaw said.
He accused NMA officers in those areas of being agents who seek to enrich themselves instead of putting the country’s interest first.
Moyamba District’s Veronica Kadie Sesay stated that the mining companies destroy the lands and contaminate the waters without any benefit for the locals in those places.
The MP stressed that whenever mining agreements are taken to parliament, they will make sure companies perform their corporate social responsibility in those communities.
She highlighted roads, schools, hospitals amongst other as some of corporate social responsibilities that the locals should benefit from, noting that sometimes only the chiefs and other persons benefit from these mining companies, and insisted that from now on, all the indigenes of those communities should benefit.
Parliament approved eight nominees including the Director of National Mineral Agency (NMA) Haji Daboh, Executive Director of National Investment Board, Deputy Commissioner of National Youth Commission, Emerson Kamara and Chairman of Teaching Service Commission Lansana Kaifala.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (23/10/23)
