By Solomon T. Gaye
In the wake of the go-slow action by contractors of the China Chongquing International Construction Cooperation (CICO) road works in Nimba, concerns are being raised as trucks continue to tow the crush rocks from the operation site.
Since the go-slow action which began in April 2023, along the Yarsonnon belt on the Yekepa highway crush rocks for CICO’s operation are taken away on a daily basis allegedly by directive of workers of the company.
Speaking to this paper in Yarsonnon Town over the weekend, elder Saye Nya frowned at the Chinese road company that is alleged to be involved in the sale of the crush rock to another company.
“They are hauling the rocks and selling it under the pretense of carrying on the road pavement,” oldman Nya said.
“This act of selling the crush rock to another company from within the Yarsonnon belt without the knowledge of the people in the district is criminal,” the chief elder lamented.
Since the beginning of April 2023, CICO workers that were building bridges along the Saclepea highway packed all the machines in demand of cash from the government and since the beginning of May 2023, they are taking away the crush rocks in piles as they were set up for the pavement of the 39 Km Saclepea highway thereby diverting same to Yekepa while waiting to hear from the government.
Since the hauling of the crush rock from Saclepea highway passing through Ganta, the local authorities have remained tight-lipped.
A resident, Martha Wehyee, said CICO is on go-slow but trucks are coming every day in convoys and are hauling the rocks intended for this work to another location.
During a normal routine from Ganta to the CICO operation site in Yarsonnon Town over the weekend, more trucks were seen carrying crush rocks toward Ganta while others were on their way towards the Yarsonnon camp.
When this paper contacted CICO’s camp in Yarsonnon, one of the assigned security guards refused to even open the gate on grounds that journalists only enter by the permission of CICO’s administrator.
When this paper contacted Ministry of Public Work (MPW) Resident Engineer, he angrily shouted directing the reporter to go find out where CICO is carrying the crush rock.
The 39 km Saclepea highway is among President George Weah’s 2017 presidential campaign promises to the
