APC allows town mining In Kono

Uncontrolled digging for diamonds has commenced in Yengema Town, Kono District resulting in houses and even a Mosque on the verge of being pulled down, Sierra Express Media has learnt.

According to reports, the town of Yengema, once described as the most beautiful in the Kono District is now an eyesore as a result of the diamond mining.

Roads, bridges and houses have been pulled down by the miners, and although most residents have expressed concern, they are afraid of voicing their concerns, claiming they are afraid as the work is said to be going on with the total support of the All People’s Congress politicians in the community.

The illicit mining in Yengema Town is also said to have been condoned by the Mines Warden and the Mines Monitoring Officer in Yengema who have also refused to either arrest the perpetuators or make a report back in Freetown.

Indigenes of the town, including the Yengema Descendant’s Union (YENDA), have voiced their concern and have said that the work is illegal and against mining laws which stipulate that no mining activity take place in residential areas.

Houses in Yenkee Street in Yengema, where the First Lady grew up, have been targeted and a Mosque which was rehabilitated through the support of the UN peace building fund is also under threat of collapsing because of the diamond mining.

When asked who is allowing them to dig for diamonds in the town, one of the miners who refused to give his name, said they were sent by the District Chairman Mr. John Yambasu and Chief Richard Fears. According to the miners, all diamonds discovered from the Town mining are sent to Mr. Richard Fears who in turn passes them on to Mr. John Yambasu.

YENDA members both in the UK and the United States have also expressed their concern and say they will write a formal letter to President Ernest Bai Koroma and the Minister of Mines about what they describe as ‘an attempt to destroy’ Yengema for economic gains.

Paramount Chief Bona of Nimikoro Chiefdom where Yengema is located has also been accused of having hands in the illicit activity and that he has also not made any attempt to halt the work even though it is under his chiefdom. “Chief Bona will not tell us that he has no knowledge about what is happening in Yengema because he goes to church in the town and the mining is barely hundred meters from where he prays at the Salvation Church,” said a youth residing in the town who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.

Councillor Tamba Henry Fomba, responsible for Yengema Town, when contacted said he has no hands in the town mining going on and that he is in Koidu engaged in the No. Eleven Tailings which had been recently released to the district authorities.

“I am here in Koidu how can I have any knowledge about town mining in Yengema,” he asked rhetorically.

But residents have maintained there is illicit mining going on and that those involved are highly placed members of the APC’s local government administration in Kono. “It is no secret that ‘big Vons’ are involved,” one youth said.

Repeated attempts to contact Mr. John Yambasu or Paramount Chief Bona failed.

The issue of indiscriminate mining in the towns of Kono is not only occurring in Yengema. In Koidu Town, mining has been going on in various places, including near a church as well as by a school. Authorities usually turn a blind eye, claiming they have no knowledge.

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