Residents outside the envelop area of the operations site of the OCTEA mining company, formerly known as Koidu Holdings, say they are paying “a high human cost” for the operations of the company. They say the vibration of the explosion of rocks, or blasting, is creating a crack on their houses in addition to smashing their window panes.
The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Sheka Tarawallie aka Shekito says it is the duty of the UN refugees agency, UNHCR, and the government of Sierra Leone to continue to engage Liberian refugees without judging them on the fact that the guns have gone silent in their country.
Addressing the committee meeting of UNHCR's high commissioner's programme in Geneva, Switzerland, Tarawallie urged the agency to continue handling refugee matters while the government would ensure a fair "individual refugee status determination process."
Supported by: Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA)
