Grand Cape Mount County Elders have frowned on a local human rights report which accused a mining company in Bangorma, Tewor District of labor abuses.

Last Month, the Liberia Watch for Human Rights in a report described activities of 10 companies including a Chinese firm operating in Grand Cape Mount County as unsatisfactory and called on government to intervene.

The report released in February alleged a Liberian Chinese joint firm; KBL-Liberia Mining Company operating in Bangorma Town, Tewor District has no regard for the citizens.

A group of elders and citizens in Bangorma have refuted the allegation, and said working relations between KBL-Liberia and its work force are mutually beneficial in keeping with acceptable terms to the two party.

KBL-Liberia Assistant Field Supervisor, Mr. George Skinner also disputed the Human Rights Group report and said it was based on prejudice by few dismissed workers.

Mr. Skinner said rules and regulations governing the operations of the company, were discussed and decided, and are in keeping with standard Labor practice and Law of Liberia.

“Since the arrival of the Chinese group in Bangorma, we've excellent relations and a forum has been established to provide redress to worker’s grievances,” Momo Sambolah, a KBL-Liberia worker said.

Momo said the company has always identified with community programs by making generous contributions including a monthly agreed fee to the town to help with development projects.

The Elders described the Liberia Watch for Human Rights report as false and said if the allegations were ever made; it was based on falsehood and not on facts, because they said a letter of appreciation was recently presented to the company by the town’s people.

Perpetrators, Warlords Face TRC August
 By J. Edwood N. Dennis
 
It has been disclosed in Monrovia that perpetrators and warlords will face the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in August.  TRC Chairman, Cllr. Jerome Verdier says the month of August has beg set aside for heads of warring factions and perpetrators to appear before the commission.

Speaking Wednesday at The Analyst newspaper during a courtesy call to thank the management for the level of support and cooperation to the TRC public hearings, he said the TRC is working on plans to take its hearings into the diasporas, especially Ghana and the United States of America and return to Liberia in July to commence the hearings process of warlords and perpetrators in August.

	• Cllr. J. Verdier - TRC

The appearance of those former war-lords before the TRC will commence after the TRC process in the Diasporas ended between June and July. 

Since the TRC public hearingsbegan in January 2008, there has been public outcry for key actors in the Liberian civil war to appear before the commission, explain and confess their deeds.

Except for few who have shown interest to appear, others have condemned the process and vowed not to appear. Prince Johnson, formerly of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) has already indicated that he would not appear before the commission unless “those who killed Tolbert show up.”

What the TRC will do to have perpetrators and warlords appear is not known, but it has the mandate to subpoena anyone.

Observers say the statement that former warlords and perpetrators will take stand in August is likely to bring relief to Liberians, who see the appearance of those who they claimed bear greater responsibility in the war, should tell their stories.

Commissioners of TRC have just returned to the capital from a protected public hearing campaign in the South- eastern region including Maryland, Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh and River Gee Counties.

Cllr. Verdier said that TRC is on a break and that they will commence hearings immediately after the national census which begins tomorrow, 21st March.

He noted that they will be conducting hearing process in other counties and was committed to discharging its duty in line with the trust imposed in the Commission by the Liberian people.

Cllr. Verdier who was accompanied to The Analyst by the TRC’s Public Relation Head, Mr. Richmond Anderson appreciated the paper management and staffs for the level of professionalism it exhibited in providing courage to the happenings of the TRC.

He said The Analyst has done very well in its scope of operation, feeding the public with information and events of the TRC and wish the relationship will continue. He said TRC is making significant achievements because of the level of cooperation, support the Analyst continues to give to the TRC.

In response, The Analyst's Editor, Ellis D. Togba on behalf of the paper thanked Cllr. Verdier for the visit pledged the paper’s continued cooperation with the TRC process.

“Despite our profession, we are Liberians and we have a stake in the process because it is the means through peace and reconciliation can be achieved,” he said.

Mr. Togba said the paper with not bend in its objective and will stand with and by the process to the very end. “The TRC process is crucial to the Liberian nation and people, as such the paper will give it the deserving media cooperation’.