By R. Joyclyn Wea
The Sekou Sheriff Faiwah (SSF) Company which is also engaged into construction activities in Margibi particularly Tower Hill Community, is said to be posing total fear to the lives of people in the SSF operational area due to rock particles.
The situation has caused the “Unique Medical Hospital” in the community to shut down its operations in the area due to alleged strong vibration caused by the blasting of rocks by the SSF Company.
The company began operations in the country in 2007 through an agreement entered into with the government of Liberia for the purpose of rock crushing in Margibi County. It has her operational site in Margibi County and being managed by Hassan H. Athebi, a Lebanese National.
A media assessment over the weekend in the area revealed that pre-mature childbirth coupled with constant deterioration in patients’ condition due to the blasting of rock resulted to the closure of the clinic.
SSF Rock Crusher Company is located in Margibi County along the Robertfield highway and the heavy weight of vibration is as strong as an earthquake thus leaving them vulnerable and fleeding their homes to seek refuge elsewhere.
The horrible part is that pregnant women most often experience instant labor due to the vibration that result to some losing their lives and that of their babies.
The health facility was constructed and began official operations in August 2013 due to the challenges citizens in the area faced at the time in seeking medical attention, but forcedly shut down its operations six months ago.
Anthony Yarpah, a hospital staff bewailed “Hospital areas are areas that you don’t want noise when it is happening like that, it is a problem for people attending the facility. It forces pregnant women into labor; people die of pressure and infrastructure are being destroyed.”
Anthony added that prior to the shutting down of the clinic they have had two premature deaths and miscarriages. “So, the Proprietor of the clinic decided to close down the clinic because he felt patients visiting the facility were not safe.”
“Some people are still coming to be treated because they are not aware that we have shut down operations. Per day, we have fifteen persons visiting the facility.”
Residents explained that during each blasting, they are advised to move away from their homes because the danger posed to them by the rock particles.
Tower Hill residents are therefore, calling on government to intervene in the prevailing situation by relocating the company.
This is not the first time such thing is coming up on the company; it is like an inherited issue. In late 2017, the company was accused for destroying infrastructure and private homes in the Tower Hill Community, but not much attention was given to this matter despite numerous communications from the citizens to the Legislature.
When contacted, Hassan Athebi confirmed the claimed by residents, but noted that if the SSF operations is affecting residents in the area, it is left with the government of Liberia to revoke their license.
With the circumstances surrounding his company’s operations, Hassan emphasized that the company will relocate if there is no solution to the unfolding situation.
For his part, Margibi Legislature Caucus Chairperson, Ben Fofana, vowed that the leadership will not compromise the interest of the citizens.
According to him, they as direct representatives of the people will take seize of the matter and ensure an amicable solution to the situation is found and all parties satisfied. TNR
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.
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