By Linus Flomo
Residents of District 3 in Grand Bassa County have temporarily shut down the operations of West Water Group, citing the company’s failure to fulfill commitments outlined in a 2021 agreement.
The Medium Scale Commercial Use Contract (CUC), signed on April 3, 2021, in Ceezohn, required West Water Group to carry out key infrastructure projects within its first year of operations. These include road construction linking Gayepue Whoe Junction to Nimba and Gayepue Whoe to Sue Town, as well as the establishment of 25-table markets, Palava huts, hand pumps, and a six-classroom junior high school.
Nearly four years later, community members say none of these projects have materialized, despite the company’s continued harvesting and transportation of logs to Buchanan. Frustrated by the unfulfilled promises, local leaders and residents unanimously resolved to halt the company’s activities until their concerns are addressed.
Speaking at a community meeting in Gbor Jimmy Town, Jeremiah G. Whoe, Chief Officer of the Forest, said his office had repeatedly written to West Water Group, but the company had shown no intention of meeting its obligations. He also accused the company of failing to pay the community’s cubic meter fees, the full amount for the 2024 land rental, and health and educational benefits owed since 2021.
With mounting frustration, the majority of the community assembly members signed a resolution demanding that West Water Group honor its commitments before resuming operations.
Local leaders are now calling for urgent action, emphasizing that the company must be held accountable for its contractual promises.
