July 8, 2021
By: Aruna Kamara (Bo)
Some members of the Civil Society Organizations in the Southern region have lavished praises on the Police over the robust action taken to arrest both Sierra Leoneans and foreign national in Magburaka and Kenema engaged in allege illegal mining in the major rivers of Sierra Leone.
Speaking to A-Z in Taiama on Wednesday, Brima Gbappie, who claimed to be a civil Society activist, said that residents in Kori Chiefdom have been grumbling over pollution of the Taia River, which has been a source of their livelihood.
Gbappie said that the arrest of some illegal miners is a testament that the concerns of people at Taiama over the pollution of the Taia River have been a genuine one that requires urgent action.
He said the mining activities in Magburaka might be responsible for the pollution of the Taia River, which endangers the lives of the sea habitat including the lives of the people around the Taia River.
Gbappie said that they are going to follow up on the investigation of the police into the alleged illegal mining to ensure that those who would be found guilty after investigation will be brought before the Law.
A Civil Society Activists in Kenema, Mohamed Sherriff said they are happy after receiving the news that police have apprehended the illegal miners.
He however said that the police should be given the independence to execute their function without influence or interference, adding that the Chief Minister, JJ Saffa had cautioned the police that they should do their work without any fear or favor.
Mr Sherriff said that the police were further cautioned not to take any orders from above and the investigation into alleged illegal mining will be a test case for the Sierra Leone Police.
It could be recalled that some Sierra Leoneans in cohort with some foreign nationals were arrested by the police in Magburaka and in Kenema for engaging in illegal mining along the major rivers of Sierra Leone.
This was disclosed during the Police Press Briefing held at Police Headquarters in Freetown on Tuesday.
According to the Assistant Inspector general of Police (AIG) Mannah, some of the suspects that were arrested have been charged to court, whiles others are in custody at the Criminal investigations Department helping the police with investigations.