The People of Lofa MUST benefit substantially from any exploration and mining of Wologizi

 

A Press Release Issued By The FEDERATION OF LOFA ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AMERICAS, FLAA

 

The Perspective
Atlanta, Georgia
June 26, 2013

The officers and members of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas, FLAA have learned through various sources and the press that the government of Liberia (GOL) is considering negotiating with Jindal, a giant Indian company for the exploration and mining of Wologizi Mountain in Lofa County. Some sources maintain with certainty that negotiations are already ongoing. While we cannot verify all sources, we nonetheless have reasons to be concerned by these revelations. Therefore, as sons and daughters of Lofa County in the Diaspora, working in close collaboration with our brothers and sisters in Liberia, including members of the Lofa Legislative Caucus, we would like to convey the following points to the government of Liberia:

1. It goes without saying that Wologizi Mountain sits in Voinjama District, Lofa County; therefore, any negotiations relative to the exploration and mining of this mountain MUST involve the people of Lofa County. We are blessed with children of the county who are geologists, exploration specialists, mining engineers, lawyers, and other experts who will ably negotiate alongside the government with companies interested in Wologizi.
2.  No one company shall have a monopoly over the exploration and mining of Wologizi; rather, companies MUST be vetted in the best interest of Lofa and Liberia.
3.  The word “Wologizi” in the Loma language means ‘mountain of cries/tears’. The people of Lofa County MUST not lose tears when this mountain is explored and mined. Specifically, aware of the exploitation of mining companies in Nimba, Bong, and Bomi, the people of Lofa rigidly insist that:

1. They MUST benefit substantially from any exploration and mining activities in their area, and
2.  There must be safeguards for environmental and human protection during and after mining activities in their area. ANYTHING short of these NON-NEGOTIABLE points will be rejected vehemently by the people of Lofa County.

4. We therefore call on the government of Liberia to ensure that our concerns herein expressed are addressed fully for the benefit of Lofa County and Liberia in general.

Given this 21st day of June, 2013 under our hands and seal:
Members of the Wologizi Ad Hoc Committee of the Federation of Lofa Associations in the Americas, FLAA

Jusu Hena, member
J. Galakpai Howard, P.E., Member
Jallah W. Kennedy, Member
Dr. Sakui Malakpa, Member
Camah Mulabah, Member
Arthur K. Zakama, Member
Garmai Tokpah, President of FLAA and Ex-Officio Member