Three Arrested For ‘Illegal Sand Mining’

By R Joyclyn Wea
At least three persons have so far been arrested for ‘illegal sand mining’ activities in the township of WestPoint in central Monrovia.

This is part of effort by community watch forum in aiding the Liberia National Police (LNP) to bring down commissioners of crime around Monrovia and its environs.
WestPoint is one of those communities in central Monrovia that is highly affected by sea erosion which made thousands of Liberian citizens homeless last rainy season.
The government of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf abolished the issue of illegal sand mining on major beaches around the country as it is among other things a contributing factor to sea erosion or disaster in some parts of the country particularly communities located along the sea coast of Liberia.
Speaking to this paper following the arrest, the head of the community watch forum, Edwin Konneh explained that these individuals were arrested in the commission of the act of sand mining along the sea coast in the township of WestPoint.
According to him, this is the first major arrest the forum has undertaken since the passage of the law by the former government.
He further indicated that those violators would be used as examples to discourage others who are or wanting to engage in the act.
Konneh disclosed that these individuals would be fined in accordance with law if found guilty by the WestPoint magisterial court. He claimed that this would prevent increasing number of sand mining activities in the area.
He indicated that this situation had greatly caused sea disasters in the township, therefore, there is a need to bring the matter to a standstill in order to have a favorable environment for people living in the township.