Gerald C. Koinyeneh
Africa-Press – Liberia. Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County have praised Senator Simeon Taylor for proactively involving them in the draft Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) negotiation between Bea Mountain and the Liberian Government before its finalization.
During a town hall meeting held in Tahn on Thursday, residents of the county emphasized their desire for the ratified MDA to incorporate terms and conditions that align with their welfare. Key focal points included ensuring job security, enhancing opportunities for national and international scholarships, and implementing salary increments and additional employee benefits.
The community is urging the revision of the Community Development Fund (CDF) stipulated in the new agreement, advocating for an increase from the current US$250,000 to a substantial US$1 million. Furthermore, the citizens underscored the importance of equitable distribution of the annual survey rental fees of US$4 per acre for production. They suggested a fair 50/50 division between the community and the Government of Liberia, while expressing that the government’s involvement in the fee distribution should be reconsidered.
Elder Varney Brown, speaking on behalf of the Elder Council, praised Senator Taylor’s unprecedented engagement with the community, noting its significance in shaping the Bea Mountain MDA. Brown emphasized that the senator’s thoughtful approach could prove beneficial to both the citizens and the company. He encouraged the senator to ensure the community’s perspectives are effectively incorporated into the final document.
Labaa Sarma, Chairlady of the Gola Konneh District women’s group, expressed confidence in Senator Taylor’s intentions, asserting that he would not endorse a detrimental agreement. She advocated for retaining favorable clauses in the document and removing those that could be detrimental to the community’s interests.
Roland David, the youth leader of the county, raised concerns about the management of the Community Development Fund and emphasized the importance of youth involvement in fund management. He proposed that youth representatives should also be signatories to the fund to ensure proper utilization.
Regarding the provision that citizens of the county should hold managerial positions after five years of operation post-ratification, the youth demanded immediate implementation rather than a delay, indicating their eagerness to contribute to decision-making.
Overall, the community expressed its support for Senator Taylor to champion their viewpoints during the forthcoming public hearing at the Liberian Legislature. Following this, a decision by the Plenary of the Senate will determine the final ratification of the 25-year agreement, with increased benefits for the citizens of Grand Cape Mount and Liberia.
Senator Taylor, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Lands, Mines, and Energy, stressed the importance of citizen input in the MDA negotiation process. He emphasized that although a majority vote will decide the agreement’s fate, he believed it was prudent to include citizen perspectives in shaping the draft MDA.
The unprecedented mass meeting, attended by local county officials, youth representatives, women, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and the media, marked a historic occasion where a lawmaker sought community input before ratifying a significant agreement through the Liberian Legislature.
Senator Taylor highlighted the positive impact of Bea Mountain’s investments in creating job opportunities for both Cape Mount citizens and a broader range of individuals. He noted that the revised MDA includes enhanced benefits for the county and host communities compared to the previous agreement.
“I strongly believe that the investment by Bea Mountain in the county helps to create more job opportunities not only for citizens of Cape Mount, but also for thousands of Liberians and other nationals,” Taylor said.
The senator acknowledged Bea Mountain’s substantial contributions to the county’s development, particularly in infrastructure rehabilitation and supporting local businesses in catering and sanitation services.
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