Published: July 7, 2025
BONG COUNTY – Turkish mining company MNG Gold is under fire from residents and road users for allegedly worsening conditions along the Gbarnga-Kokoyah highway, despite ongoing maintenance work aimed at improving the route.
Recently, more than 20 MNG Gold trucks were seen dumping crushed rocks into potholes on the road, a move the company says is part of its effort to make the route passable. But instead of relief, the intervention has sparked widespread frustration.
Motorcyclists, who rely on the road for daily transport and income, say the rocks are damaging their bikes and causing unexpected expenses.
“The rocks are damaging our bikes. This is not helping us — it’s making things worse,” one commercial motorcyclist told The Liberian Investigator. Others echoed similar complaints, saying they’ve had to replace tires and parts more frequently due to the sharp crushed stones scattered across the road.
The stretch between Duala and Kokoyah has become increasingly treacherous, with riders describing it as nearly impassable in some sections.
Despite the backlash, MNG Gold insists it is committed to rehabilitating the road. Speaking on a Bong County radio station, company spokesperson Matthew Gbanken said MNG Gold is preparing to resume full-scale operations at its Kokoyah site, focusing on underground mining.
Gbanken disclosed that mining equipment is currently being transported to Kokoyah from other company sites, signaling the imminent restart of operations.
He urged residents to remain patient and reassured the public that the company remains committed to its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with local stakeholders.
“MNG Gold has stayed true to its social responsibilities. We’ve provided scholarships for students from affected communities to attend colleges and universities,” Gbanken said. He also noted a recent donation of 25-kilogram bags of rice and other essentials to the Bong County Blind Association as part of the company’s ongoing community outreach.
But critics argue that the company has not done enough. They point to nearly a decade of gold extraction in Kokoyah—since operations began in 2015—without properly paving or maintaining the main access road.
The company suspended mining activities in 2022, citing a sharp drop in global gold prices. That downturn led to layoffs, with many employees made redundant due to what the company described as limited operational resources.
Adding to the tension, Bong County Electoral District #2 Representative James Kolleh has raised concerns about the company’s return. Kolleh said he was not formally notified of MNG Gold’s plans to restart mining.
“I was not officially informed by the company,” Rep. Kolleh stated, calling for the MoU to be amended before operations resume.
As MNG Gold moves equipment into Kokoyah, many residents remain skeptical. They say the company’s promises have yet to materialize—and they fear the worsening road conditions are just one sign of more disappointments to come.
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