DAHNTUO ZONE, Nimba- The creek used for drinking purposes by more than 200 inhabitants of Dahntuo Zone on the Sanniquellie-Karnplay highway is contaminated by rock particles emitting from the Chinese Quarry Plant setup in the community by the China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG). By: Jerry Myers (INTERNEWS Water and Sanitation Fellow) China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) is a Chinese Company contracted by the Liberian Ministry of Public Works for the upgrading of the 47.1 km long Sanniquellie- Loguatuo Road.
A report released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 1, 2024 after an assessment visit to the area in April, uncovered a huge pile of mortar dumped by the company, and sediments from the mortar leached into the streams each time it rains, thus contaminating the water body the villagers rely on to fetch their drinking water. The findings also noted that blasting of rocks at the quarry emits dust particles in the air that pose a risk to the villagers’ health; adding that the company’s activities also polluted an open well used as alternative drinking water source by the villagers. The villagers had complained about the pollution of their water sources and their health conditions; thus prompting the investigation by the EPA.
Since the report was released by the EPA team, nothing has been done to address the situation as the villagers continue to suffer from the impact of the quarry plant. During a recent visit to the community by this paper, the villagers ex.
