–To Stall Influx Of Aliens
By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor In Monrovia
Grand Kru County Electoral District # 2 Representative Jonathan Fonati Koffa is calling on the Ministry of Defense to deploy a contingent of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) in Grand Kru County to stop what he calls “the invasion the aliens in the county”.
Rep. Koffa raised the alarm over the influx of “illegal miners” in the County. The Grand Kru lawmaker claimed that unspecified number of foreigners is in the County engaged into illicit mining activities.
Speaking to reporters at his Capitol Building office following his returned from the county, Koffa said many of the foreigners that are invading the forest and the mining sector of the county are Ghanaians, and few Nigerians and Ivoirians.
He further said that the county is currently going through numerous challenges and a lot of problems, top among the problems being the influx of the miners many of who are foreigners.
Cllr. Koffa pointed accusing fingers at Ghanaians, Ivoirians and other nationals as those heavily involved with the illicit mining activities. He did not say how he knew they were aliens.
Most of the Border points in Liberia are Porous. Authorities of Liberia Immigration Service (LIS) disclosed that there are about 131 entry points into the country but lack security presence to deter illegal entries.
United Nations (UN) troops posted at various border points provided backing to the Liberian security in manning the country’s borders, but have left the country on March 30th this year. The Liberian security apparatuses now face the challenge of protecting their own border points.
Although he admits that the country has a shortage of security to man the border points, he is meanwhile requesting the Ministry of Defense to send some soldiers to Grand Kru County to stop the influx of foreigners in that part of the country.
“You have foreigners [and aliens] coming in at different points, some of which are not border points that are invading the county, bringing dredge machines and getting gold out of our waters, which is likely to cause environmental damage,” Koffa said.
Artisanal mining predominantly of gold and diamonds takes place in many parts of Liberia, especially remote counties.
Artisanal mining–traditionally carried out by unlicensed and illegal miners–contributes to the country’s economy through royalties and taxes paid by licensed dealers. Some of the most lucrative mines are located in remote and inaccessible areas in forest regions, and the government lacks the necessary resources or capacity to monitor mining activities.
The government complies with the Kimberly Process (KP) of Origin Certification, which enables Liberia to export rough diamonds (legally) to other KP member countries
Rep. Koffa who also chaired the House’s Committee on Judiciary went on to say that what is most frustrating about the illegal miners in his county, especially his district is the habit of the very citizens in the district serving as host to those illegal aliens.
He registered that security presence in the county is very low, as such plan to hold discussions with authority sector to beef up its presence in the county.
