ADNews-Bong County: The Kpatawee Community Land Development and Management Committees (KCLDMC) has concluded a contract review mechanism with Jalk Enterprise, the company managing the Kpatawee Waterfall in Electoral District #5, Bong County to review the terms of the current contract between the two parties and assess the progress of their collaboration.
By Edwin Khakie
The meeting, held at the Kpatawee Waterfall, was attended by representatives from Jalk Enterprise and the KCLDMC, alongside local community members.
KCLDMC is a non-governmental, professional organization formed by the sons and daughters of the Kpatawee Clan with aim to promote the development of the clan through peaceful dialogue with the management of Jalk Enterprise and ensure the waterfall’s management contributes meaningfully to the socio-economic development of both the Kpatawee Clan and Bong County as a whole.
In December 2019, Jalk Enterprise and the Kpatawee Clan signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to manage the Kpatawee Waterfall. The MoU, which will elapse on December 19, 2024, outlines the terms of the partnership, which has been a point of an ongoing review.
During the review, the Clan Chief of Kpatawee, Menpakeh Darwokalar, called on Jalk Enterprise to settle outstanding benefits owed to the community for the past five years of operation. He emphasized that any request from Jalk Enterprise for a contract extension or increase would only be considered once these past benefits are paid.
Clan Chief Darwokalar accentuated that his advocacy for the Kpatawee people is aimed at improving the community and the long-term future of the waterfall in Bong County. He noted that the peaceful dialogue and contract review process were intended to address the ongoing tensions between the local residents and Jalk Enterprise, which had previously led to protests.
Emmanuel A. Newman, Chairman of the KCLDMC, expressed his appreciation for the coordination between the citizens and Jalk Enterprise during the contract review discussions. He emphasized that the position shared by Clan Chief Darwokalar was a collective decision made by the 19 affected communities within the Kpatawee Clan.
Newman also praised Jalk Enterprise for its contributions to the beautification of the Kpatawee Waterfall and for providing employment opportunities to local residents. He highlighted the positive impact this employment has had on the surrounding communities, which he believes is a significant achievement for the clan.Josephine
Richardson, a representative of Jalk Enterprise, acknowledged the efforts of the KCLDMC and Clan Chief Darwokalar in maintaining peace at the Kpatawee Waterfall. However, she requested additional time to resolve the issue of past benefit payments. She stated that consultations with her management team would take place, and a response would be provided to the community by December 22, 2024.
Richardson explained that delays in payment were primarily due to confusion over which local leaders should receive the benefits on behalf of the community. She expressed optimism that a new approach would be adopted in the future, including the establishment of a dedicated account to manage the waterfall’s funds and avoid further disputes.
In May of this year, residents of Kpatawee Clan staged protests against the management of Jalk Enterprise, leading to the temporary closure of the Kpatawee Waterfall. The protests were sparked by allegations that Jalk Enterprise had violated the terms of the MoU, including encroaching on local farmland, which the community claimed violated the agreement.
The situation escalated to the point where the Commander of the Bong County Detachment of the Liberia National Police, Fasu Sheriff, ordered the closure of the waterfall. Protestors blocked roads and threatened to destroy the facilities if the management remained in the area.
The conflict was eventually resolved through the mediation of Dr. Emmanuel Urey Yarkpawolo, Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Bong County Superintendent Hawa Norris. They urged the residents to reconsider their demands, leading to the reopening of the Kpatawee Waterfall.
As the discussions continue, all parties involved are hopeful that a resolution will be reached that benefits the Kpatawee Clan and ensures the sustainable development of the Kpatawee Waterfall for years to come. The community and Jalk Enterprise are committed to turning a new page in their partnership, with an emphasis on transparency, fairness, and shared progress.
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