By Thomas Dixon
FREETOWN, March 19, (SALONE TIMES) – – Hon Alice Jebbeh Kumabeh of Constituency 092 Bonthe district has revealed that there is huge toxic waste deposited at the Tai River by an unknown mining company which has affected her constituents.
That they cannot drink or use the water to do anything while the smaller fishes in the water have died and the bigger ones have run away.
That, this has affected twenty-five villages and that three adults and seven children have already died of diarrhoea.
That the company doing this wicked act should pay for the damages that it has caused her constituents and they must stop the pollution of the Taia River.
She asked the Deputy Speaker to intervene in this matter so that the unknown company can stop this menace.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas who presided over the session asked the Chairman of Mines and Minerals Committee to intervene in the matter.
Hon Emerson Lamina, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Mines said that Hon Kumabeh had engaged him, noting that the mining company that is doing the act must stop.
Hon PC Alie Badara Sheriff from Bonthe district said that the Taia River is so dirty and as such, people cannot drink the water and that people have been dying from diarrhoea as result of the polluted water.
He revealed that he understands that the mining company that is causing this problem is operating in Mongare, mining gold.
Leader of Government Business Hon Mathew Nyuma said that if they know the mining company that is causing this destruction, there licence will be suspended.
The Presiding Speaker Hon Thomas said he has suggested three committees-Mines, Environment and Water Resources to go on oversight and come back with a report on the issue.
Leader of opposition Hon Chernor Bah stated that a special select committee should be set up for the oversight.
Hon Kumabeh move a motion for the committees on Mines, Water Resources, Health, Fisheries and Defence to go on the oversight over the contaminated Taia river seconded by Hon PC Alie Badara Sheriff.
