Capitol Building, Monrovia – The Bong University Students Union (BUSU) on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, formally presented a petition to the Bong County Legislative Caucus, calling for urgent action to enforce educational and developmental commitments made under a 2009 Mineral Development Agreement (MDA) between the Government of Liberia and China Union (Hong Kong) Mining Co., Ltd.
The petition, signed by BUSU Secretary Andrew P. Wormeli and President General Gabriel T. Saah, highlights unfulfilled promises made in the MDA, which was signed on January 19, 2009. Sixteen years later, the students argue that key provisions intended to benefit local communities, particularly the youth, remain largely unmet.
Among the original commitments outlined in the MDA were:
- An annual US$200,000 scholarship fund, with 25% reserved for Bong County students;
- Ongoing training and job preparation programs for Liberian youth;
- Annual contributions to support mining and geology education, and graduate exchange programs;
- Infrastructure development, including schools, hospitals, and housing in host communities.
- Despite these promises, BUSU says the current reality paints a different picture.
“Scholarship programs are either non-transparent, inaccessible, or completely nonexistent to many intended beneficiaries,” the petition states. “Students are dropping out because of tuition challenges, and training or employment programs are not visibly implemented.”
The union further noted the lack of tangible infrastructure development from China Union to benefit youth education or empowerment in the county.
Key Demands from BUSU:
- Solidarity and support from the Bong County Legislative Caucus in holding China Union accountable.
- Full enforcement and transparent disbursement of the US$200,000 annual scholarship fund, with student involvement.
- Engagement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ministry of Education, and other stakeholders to prioritize Bong County youth in training and employment.
- Recognition of students as direct beneficiaries of all educational and development-related initiatives under the MDA.
- Enforcing China Union’s commitment to infrastructure development in host communities.
- A seat at the County Sitting for students, ensuring their voice in local development decisions.
Also present at the Capitol during the petition handover was Rep. Foday Fahnbulleh, who received the document on behalf of the Bong Legislative Caucus. In his brief remarks, Rep. Fahnbulleh thanked the students for what he described as a strong and constitutional demonstration of their rights.
“This petition is a powerful sign that our young people are awake and demanding what is rightfully theirs,” Rep. Fahnbulleh stated. “We must stand with them and press the Ministry of Mines and Energy to ensure China Union lives up to its commitments.”
BUSU’s petition is being seen as a renewed call for justice, equity, and accountability in Liberia’s concession sectors particularly where local communities continue to feel neglected despite the wealth extracted from their lands.
The student body emphasized that this was not merely a petition, but a plea for justice and equal opportunity, stating:
“The students of Bong County are no longer willing to be ignored or left behind.”
The ball now lies in the court of the Bong Legislative Caucus and national authorities to respond to the students’ demands and ensure that promises made under the Mineral Development Agreement are translated into real benefits for the people of Bong County.
