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Since the arrest of the Acting Youth Chairman of Dasogoia Chiefdom, John B. Cole, there are scores of piercing articles from known members and supporters of Sierra Leone People’s Party in Tonkolili implicating the Youth Minister, Hon. Mohamed Orman Bangura over the ongoing illegal mining activities leading to the contamination of the Rokel River which serves as a source of drinking water for residents of Magburaka Town and its environs.
On January 8th 2025, attempts by some SLPP loyalists in Bumbuna town to stop a group of illegal miners met with stiff resistance leading to the physical attack of six of the party’s youths who are currently hospitalized, according to Robert Salia Kamara, SLPP Secretary General in Tonkolili District.
On that day, tensions reportedly escalated when some identified SLPP members attempted to halt the illegal mining activities along the Rokel River.
These activities have severely polluted the river, depriving residents of clean drinking water.
It was reported that the detained Youth Chairman and his men attacked several individuals, including the party’s last Local Council candidate in the area and others with machetes.
The injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the Magburaka Hospital, according to the Secretary General.
The aftermath of the alleged incident saw the publications of several articles authored by known and aggrieved SLPP members implicating the Youth Minister whom they accused of secretly financing and sponsoring the detained Chiefdom Youth Chairman to carry his illegal mining around the river Rokel.
According to several of the articles shared online, the Chiefdom Chairman who is a known figure in the illicit mining activities is being paid by illegal miners and has openly stated that he is acting under the directives of the Youth Minister.
In all of these unfortunate events, residents of Tonkolili District are surprised and shocked because the man at the center of the allegation was a whistle blower and has been very vocal against the illegal mining in the District. Recently, the Youth Minister launched a campaign against illegal mining along the river Rokel and the operation led to the destruction of dredges and the arrest of illegal miners.
Residents in the District especially those living around the river Rokel are calling for investigation into the issue. The call for investigation came after the Youth Minister refused to come out public and comment on the allegations against him by his party surrogates.
On Thursday, 9th January 2024, this reporter contacted the Youth Minister on his available contact number to hear from his side regarding the allegations. Unfortunately, it’s more than 24 hours at the time of writing this news article, the Minister has not responded.
A WhatsApp and text messages were sent to his Orange number but the Minister did not respond.
As the matter unfolds, the public is urging the authorities to take decisive action to end the environmental destruction and restore order.
As the matter is now the topic of discussion, residents are worried whether those named in the alleged illegal mining operations and polluting the river Rokel including the Youth Minister would be investigated and brought to book should there be evidence (s).
