Bottling Pollution? Liberia Coke Firm Mute Amid Accusations

The Liberia Coca Cola Bottling Company (LCCBC) has remained tight lip for two days following a huge protest action against the institution by students and community dwellers. Reporters who had gone to hear the company's side of the story were stopped from entering the compound or told that executives of the company were in meeting that could not end. The company is accused of pollution caused by a black liquid with foul odor that runs at the back of the industrial complex into the community. The young people who stalled the movement of people in and out of the main entrance chanted, "Factory Pollution -We're Tired With It". Yea Akoi, a resident of the Coca Cola factory area lamented: "Yesterday evening a snake dropped into this gutter here and it died quick, quick." "Even when chicken drink this water it can die. This thing has been going on for years we tired now. When they released that bad chemical water it can't be easy here. The scent can take over the whole place". Akoi's statement is in support of the protest that began when students and youth of community gathered before the main entrance of the LCCBC to demand an end to the pollution that is said to be hindering their learning, proper growth and development. Hannah W. Saah, a 10th grader, told reporters she is hoping that the company will agree to their demands and stop polluting the area. "The chemical they have smells like toilet. It is hard to learn when you have that thing going through your noise. If the company doesn't say anything we will continue to come here." "I don't live in this community but I can come to school here and the pollution is very terrible," says student Josiah Cooper. "The students thought it wise to join the community in the process because they are greatly affected by what is going on." "We have been dismissing school on many occasions because the company can release that their chemical and there can be no way to breathe," says James P. Mulbah Principal of the Factory Community Christian Academy who part the protest. "We are calling on stake holders in our country and others who have influence to come to the aid of community." "There is a need that this factory be relocated or else it will create a huge health hazard. We are going to continue this action peacefully until the government can address our plight," Mulbah stressed. According to the community their lawmakers past and present are aware about the situation. "We had meetings with Kuku Dorbor." "We have also engaged honorable Henry Fahnbulleh but they have all been on a slower pace with regards to the issue that is why we are here to tell central government that we are dying, embarrassed and constrained to do what we are doing and it is impossible to learn here," Mulbah says shaking his head.