By: Henry B. Gboluma, Jr. |Gbarpolu Correspondent
Bombom Town, Gbarpolu |Feb. 17, 2026| The affected communities in Gungbaya Chiefdom, Bopolu District, have expressed serious concerns over the relocation plans presented by BAO CHICO Mining Company, emphasizing the need for revisions to address issues such as graveyards, butchery, and healthcare services.
Dean Elder Morris Haward, speaking on behalf of the community, urged the company to fulfill its obligations; including building a vocational school, and to engage with traditional leaders in the decision-making process.
”We want to develop the minds of our young people so they can protect our area,” Elder Haward said, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and sustainable development.
The concerns were raised at a stakeholders meeting held on February 16, 2026, in Bomboma Town, where Elder Haward outlined the community’s conditions for relocation and resumption of operations.
The conditions include making the Bomboma Clinic functional, constructing a health facility at the relocation site, and prioritizing vocational training to enhance employment opportunities for affected communities.
BAO CHICO Mining Company, a joint venture involving Baosteel Resources, CHICO, and CAD-Fund, signed a 25-year Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) with the Liberian government in 2022 to extract iron ore in Gbarpolu County.
However, the company has failed to meet its obligations, leading to a halt in operations for over a year.
Maxin Zaza, Chairman of the Technical Working Group and EPA Gbarpolu representative, presented a draft relocation action plan, proposing a 2-year, 6-month relocation duration ending in 2028.
BAO CHICO representatives, Sylvester Jallah and Varney Sirleaf, reported on the payment of three years’ Social Development Funds and $240,000 Education Funds, requesting to resume work while implementing relocation plans.
Meanwhile, Gbarpolu County Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah urged the company to prioritize affected communities’ needs, while Representative Zinnah Norman expressed willingness to work with the community’s decisions.
For her part, Senator Botoe Kanneh called for unity to enhance development in the county, advocating for 2 buses for students and women’s empowerment through the BAO CHICO Social Development Fund.
The meeting was attended by Gbarpolu County Legislative Caucus Senator Botoe Kanneh, Representative Zinnah Norman, Superintendent Sam K. Zinnah, County Development Officer Olu Onangbah Normanlee, County Administrative Officer James Kpoto Scott, and a member of the County Council Lydia Ballah, as well as officials of BAO CHICO and residents and citizens of the affected area including Bopolu City Commissioner Justina Dukuly.
