New Company Meets Bong Citizens

Jonah Capital has ended a one-day meeting with citizens of Suakoko, Sanoyea and Yellequelleh Districts in Bong County. Jonah Capital is a concession company prospecting for iron ores in Bong County.

The meeting was intended to discuss the social benefits of the company to the communities, as the it currently conducts exploration activities. The gathering was organized by the county authorities amid several concerns from citizens of the areas regarding social benefits.

Bong County Inspector William Kollie, who presided over the meeting, told journalists that discussion was important because it helped to enlighten the minds of the people about the operations and benefits of the company.

Inspector Kollie also told citizens at the meeting that the county authorities were following the activities of the company, and would not allow it to infringe on the rights of the locals.

At the meeting, Jonah Capital General Exploration Manager Afon Steven noted that communities within their areas of operation will  benefit two percent of the company’s operational budget, but refused to state what the two percent entails, maintaining that the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy should be the one to explain to its citizens what the two percent was, as well as the company’s operational budget.

He stated that they have given their proposal to the Ministry, which includes their total operational budget, further disclosing that the company has started building roads in its operational areas to give access to free movement. Some citizens, who attended the meeting from Yellequelleh district, confirmed the road construction and rehabilitation.

The Jonah Capital Exploration Manager said there were plans to construct some modern bridges in some parts of Yellequellh District, which will cost the company over three hundred thousand US Dollars, noting that the bridges will be constructed to also ensure free and smooth movement.

District number Four Representative Lester Paye, who attended the program said he was glad to hear about some of the development projects being undertaken by the company, assuring the citizens that he would meet authorities of the Ministry of Lands Mines and Energy to understand the total operational budget of the company for the two percent for the affected communities.