By: Howison Woah (Internews Water and Sanitation Fellow)
Residents of five communities in Districts One and Two in Margibi County are complaining about environmental pollution. The citizens are worried about Firestone Liberia, claiming that the company’s operations are contaminating their rivers. The pollution, they assert, is caused by waste from the Firestone rubber plantation.
The pollution allegedly affects areas just downstream from Firestone’s concession zone, with Kparyah Town being particularly hard-hit. This town is situated downstream from a large pipe belonging to Firestone, which is believed to be leaking contaminants into the river. Residents speaking to this reporter on September 16, 2024, also claimed that the chemical fertilizers known as ammonium nitrate, used by the company to spray the young rubber trees, are released into the grounds and run into the nearby rivers, along with the waste products from the company’s treatment plant—something they said is responsible for the alleged water pollution.
According to research, ammonium nitrate is an odorless, colorless, or white crystal salt produced by the reaction of ammonia and nitric acid. It is an important component of many fertilizer mixtures, providing a source of nitrogen to plants, which increases growth and crop yields. Small quantities of ammonium nitrate are also sold as an additive for mining explosives and other non-agricultural uses. Under normal handling conditions, ammonium nitrate is not harmful. However, inhalation of high concentrations of ammonium nitrate dust can cause respiratory tract irritation. Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, or even suffocation. When swallowed in high concentrations, ammonium nitrate may cause headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness, tingling sensations, heart and circulation irregularities, convulsions, collapse, and suffocation. Ammonium nitrate forms a mild acid when mixed with water; this acid can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and skin. (For reference only: visit www.nortechlabs.com)
Similarly, the red panels used to collect latex may contain harmful chemicals that can leak into the soil or water, potentially causing skin irritation, breathing problems, or serious health issues over time. Another area that is allegedly affected is Koon Town. Town Chief Daniel Gray described the dire impact of this pollution on his community as appalling. He reported a range of health hazards, including outbreaks of skin diseases, tainted drinking water, and a lack of safe fish. Gray also noted that the pollution has been linked to at least one death in the area because of skin irritation and diarrhea.
Mercy Kamara, the leader of Nezoe Town, elaborated on the situation, explaining that the river, once a vital source of fish for local families, has become unusable due to the pollution. “Women who previously fished to provide daily meals for their families can no longer do so because of the toxic water conditions,” she lamented.
Reacting to claims of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, the Director of Nursing at the Dolo Town Comprehensive Health Center, Woiyea Dorbor, stated that their facility had not received reports of such an outbreak from these communities. He explained, “We regularly see patients with common illnesses like diarrhea, malaria, and typhoid, but these cases are typical for us.” The Dolo Town Comprehensive Health Center serves residents in the townships of Dolo Town, Kparyah, Nezoe, Sand, Cewald, and Koon Town.
Despite notifying county authorities and having some officials witness the pollution firsthand, no substantial action has been taken by either the government or Firestone to remedy the situation. Residents Emmanuel James and Burleigh Kamara revealed that the creek is also contaminated with waste from septic tanks, the factory, and possibly hospitals. They reported ongoing deaths of fish and other marine life due to the pollution, yet the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not fully intervened.
The EPA, responding to the allegations against Firestone, said it is currently not aware of any claims regarding water pollution. Danise D. Dodoo, the EPA Communications Director, further stated, “We take these allegations seriously and will launch an investigation as soon as possible to determine the facts.”
In 2009, the EPA found Firestone Liberia guilty of polluting Ninpu Creek in Kparyah Town. The EPA’s investigation, along with input from international groups, concluded that Firestone Liberia was responsible for contaminating this crucial water source.
The then Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs, Amara Konneh, who chaired the EPA Board at the time, confirmed the findings of the 2009 investigation. Despite this, no significant corrective actions have been reported, and the issue remains unresolved.
Adding to their grievances, villagers claimed that Firestone management has shown insensitivity by mockingly asking if there are fish for sale, only to leave without addressing the pollution. This behavior has further irritated the residents.
Youth leader Timothy Matthew has warned that if the situation is not resolved, his group plans to stage roadblocks and a violent protest. He expressed deep frustration over worsening living conditions and diminishing food production in the affected communities.
In addition to alleged pollution issues, residents reported problems with their drinking water sources. The three hand pumps installed by the Liberia Red Cross eight years ago are now unsafe, and there are only two public latrines for a large population, leading to widespread open defecation.
The communities (Nezoe, Sand, Cewald, and Koon Towns) are currently relying on a well near the Tu River situated in Koon Town, but they are struggling with inadequate access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities. This lack of infrastructure is exacerbating their difficulties. They stressed that immediate intervention is crucial to prevent long-term damage to both the environment and the health of local residents.
Foeday Zinnah, Executive Director of YARD-Liberia, has warned of severe future consequences if the government fails to hold Firestone accountable. Zinnah, who is a PhD student in Engineering Education at Utah State University in the United States, and a graduate of Hebrew University of Jerusalem with an MSc in Soil and Water Sciences, urged the government and lawmakers to address the hazardous waste issue urgently.
According to Zinnah, his institution (YARD-Liberia) conducted turbidity tests (cloudiness or dirtiness) of the water supply to the homes of many local employees in 2023 and found that the water distributed is unsafe. “After the survey with the management of Firestone, we observed that the high turbidity of the water supply to homes was due to maintenance problems in the channel/distribution lines and coagulation in the old pipe system,” Foeday narrated.
Zinnah stated that both the source turbidities and end-use are the same, indicating the need for careful analysis. “We conducted physical, biological, and chemical parameter testing, and our observations indicated the need for maintenance work; from the samples, we saw lower turbidity (physical appearance),” he said.
He called on the Liberia Environmental Lawyers Association to support the victims, emphasizing that financial limitations should not prevent legal action against Firestone. Foeday Zinnah’s account led our team to visit several towns in Firestone and speak with community dwellers who are residents and employees of Firestone. We visited Regent City One and Two, Camp #1 & 2, Division #44, 6, 4, and 11, conducting interviews. Some employees, who requested to remain anonymous, said, “The water supply to our homes is not safe for washing, cooking, and bathing, but we use it for those purposes because that is what they supply to our homes.”
The eight mentioned camps hold approximately 21,350 inhabitants, comprising both employees and their dependents. Seventy to seventy-five percent (70-75%) of the population uses the water distributed to their homes by Firestone for washing, cooking, bathing, and other agricultural purposes.
When asked to address the recent allegations against Firestone’s management, the Public Affairs Superintendent, Justice Randall Clarke, directed inquiries to the EPA. Clarke, who began his role in August, appears to have limited information regarding these specific claims.
It can be recalled that on August 23, 2024, President Joseph Boakai voiced strong criticism of Firestone Liberia at the conclusion of the National Black Business Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. President Boakai was heard in a live video condemning the company for offering inadequate wages and failing to provide a safe water supply for its employees and their families. His remarks highlighted ongoing concerns about labor conditions and environmental practices at Firestone.
