By Peter Kollie & J. Mason Kollie | Lofa Correspondents
Zolowo Town, Zorzor District, Lofa County |March 23, 2026|Residents of Zolowo Town and surrounding communities in Zorzor District are calling for immediate government intervention, accusing Upper and Lower Northern Mining Company of polluting the Zayea River during its mining operations in nearby Kilewu Town.
The growing concern follows a stakeholders’ meeting held on January 3, 2026, involving Zorzor District Commissioner Hon. Paul R. Kalama, the Zorzor City Mayor, community leaders, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)supervisor, and officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy’s local office in Lofa County. The meeting was convened to address mounting complaints from affected communities regarding the company’s activities.
During the meeting, residents of Kilewu and Zolowo demanded a temporary suspension of the company’s operations until the reported pollution is addressed and safe drinking water provided. They also urged the company to fully comply with the terms outlined in its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), including the construction of hand pumps and other initiatives to ensure access to clean and safe water for household use.
On January 20, 2026 local Authority in Zorzor district and the Environmental protection Agency (EPA) halted the activities of a mining company over water pollution and environmental degradation by a Mining Company,” the Upper and Lower Northern Mining Company” which operates in Kilewu Town, Zorzor district.
According to Zorzor district Commissioner Paul Kalama, local authority halted the company’s operation because it failed to comply with the MoU already signed and placed.
The Commissioner said, as per the MoU entered into by the residents of Kilewu and surroundings and the Lower and Upper Mining Company, the later agreed to construct hand pumps, rehabilitate schools, improve roads, built clinics and other social amenities but unfortunately, the Mining Company refused to live by the MoU and therefore they were asked to halt all mining activities until they fulfilled the terms and conditions of the MoU.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Harris Mulbah of Zolowo Town alleged that the company began mining activities along the Zayea River in 2025. He noted that since then, pollution and heavy sedimentation have significantly affected the river, stretching from Kilewu downstream to Zolowo and neighboring communities.
According to him, the contamination has disrupted daily life, as residents rely on the river for drinking, cooking, washing, and other domestic purposes.
Mr. Mulbah expressed frustration over what he described as the lack of response from local authorities despite repeated complaints from the community.
“We are the citizens of Zolowo Town. We have been calling on our local leaders to address these issues for a long time, but they are not even giving attention,” he said.
According to the report, citizens in the affected areas are now suffering from the lack of for safe drinking water because the mining company is polluting the Zayea river going down to Zolowo and villages in the area.
Unfortunately, residents are now drinking from unsafe drinking water, causing serious health problem for they and their households who rely on the Zayea River for drinking and a host of other household chose for livelihood cum sustenance.
They are calling on the Lofa County leadership to help intervene in the situation or else they will take unspecified actions against the company as their health status is at risk.
According to one of the citizens in the Town Fasu Selleh, the company is yet to fulfill at least 75% its lofty commitments as per the MoU as far as improving the livelihood of Kilewu and its environs including Zolowo Town.
The company which is doing Class” B “mining of gold and other natural resources in the region.
Residents further alleged the company continues operations on the river despite the ongoing pollution concerns. They are now appealing to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, county authorities, and the national government to take swift and decisive action to safeguard public health and protect the environment.
Meanwhile, the situation remains a growing concern as affected communities await concrete measures to address the alleged environmental damage and restore access to safe drinking water.
