Liberia’s first and largest commercial gold mine, Bea Mountain Mining Corporation (BMMC) has presented a cheque of US$450,000 as Clan Development Fund to three Clans in Grand Cape Mount County.

The three Clans including Darblo, Mana and Laar Clans in Gola Konneh District each received the sum of (US$150,000) to undertake projects in their respective areas.

According to the Media Team of Bea Mountain, the fund was officially presented by BMMC General Manager for Country Affairs, Mr. Debar Allen to stakeholders of the three clans, in the presence of their County Superintendent, Aaron Vincent during a meeting held at Camp David on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. 

The General Manager further indicated that the money will be used for the implementation of several communities’ driven projects in the Laar, Mana, and Darblo Clans respectively.

With previous funding provided by the Management of Bea Mountain, there are several projects currently ongoing across the three Clans. Some of those projects are: the construction of the Tahn Health Facility, Varguaye Health Facility, Weajue Public School Renovation, M’baloma Maternity Waiting Home construction, M’baloma Health Facility Staffs Residential construction, Janne-mana Peace Town Hall, Beh-Gondor Clinic and Gold Camp Town Hall among others.

Mr. Allen said “Most people tend to forget the history of this Clan Fund. But if Fofana can recall when we were starting in the Ndblama area, they brought me one long list of things they wanted the company to do. And we ended up with the idea of putting this thing back in the hands of the various clans. Today after a series of protests, we have a clan fund”. We hope that even the Government can learn from us that our people at the very local level are capable of managing their projects. We just need checks and balances, but they can manage it. I always had the confidence that they could do it, that’s why I brought that idea and today is proving right”.  

He also admonished local contractors implementing these communities driven developments not to allow any of BMMC funded projects turn to what he terms as “White Elephant Projects” which he said happens when a contractor fails to complete a particular project and start another one.

The BMMC General Manager for Country Affairs at the same time called on local county authorities, as well as citizens of the three Clans to properly manage and maintain the projects that would greatly impact their lives.

“On behalf of our CEO, our General Manager Mr. Reza Karimiyan and our entire team here at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation I’m honored to present this cheque to leaders of our host communities through your office. As we have started, let’s continue to use these resources, let’s continue to work progressively, let’s continue to ensure that the funds that we receive we use for the benefit of our communities. And when we do that, we on the company side make a commitment that as long as that resource we are mining is there, we will continue to provide these funds,” he added.

On the issue of bureaucracy in accessing the funds, GM Allen said management will look into what needs to be done to reduce the difficulties, but emphasized that check and balance will be maintained to ensure proper management of the fund.

Receiving the cheque on behalf of the three Clans, Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent, Honorable Aaron B. Vincent thanked Bea Mountain for the fund and promised that his citizens will use the money to implement meaningful development projects in their communities.

Superintendent Vincent continues: “Bea Mountain you have done well, now we have seen the tangibles, and we can see the physical again, and we know more tangibles will come.”

However, the Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent encouraged members of the Project Management Committee from the three Clans to submit a comprehensive report to his office detailing how the first money provided by BMMC was expended.