By Donstance Koroma
The explosion of one of the gas tanks of the factory, during production that resulted to injuries and a death, is just a tip of the iceberg.
Residents of Lower Parsonage Street, Kissy, have intimated that the presence of the factory in that community is causing more harm than good.
They pointed out that the management of the factory should be squarely held responsible for the incident that took place, adding that they (Kings Production) were more than conscious that the gas tanks were not having the required ventilation they should have, but downplayed the said matter.
Community members also alleged that most of the houses, very close to the factory, are in danger of collapsing any time or moment because of the heavy vibration of their power plants.
They noted that they have reported the matter to the police time without number with no serious action taken by the law enforcement agency.
They stated that it is very difficult for them to get a perfect bed rest during the day or night as the factory power plant is on twenty four hours a day.
Another issue raised by community residents is the habit of foreign investors using senior officials in government and the Labor Ministry to deny Sierra Leoneans the right to be permanent after serving six months, as they continue to be causal workers as stipulated by law.
Community members argued that none of the workers involved in the accident are permanent workers as they were working for a daily wage of twenty five thousand (Le25, 000) which the community referred to as modern day slavery.
They are calling on the Government of President Julius Maada Bio and the new Minister of Labor and Social Security to look into the issues of indigenous and foreign industries and factories operating within the boundaries of the country. They deliberately use officials in sensitive positions in governance and the Labor Ministry to deprive their children the right to benefit when and as the need arises.
We are saying this because our community is lucky to have the Kings Production (Mega Cola), Commodity Trading Company (CTC), Leocem, and Sabco Fishing Company, etc. around us, but they are underpaying our children, a 66 years old community leader, who prefers anonymity, whispered to this medium.
Some house owners have vowed to rally behind the government to ensure that all companies and factories within the Kissy municipality, that pose environment threats, must be relocated to areas that are environmental friendly.
They added that, as a community, they will approach the newly elected Member of Parliament for Constituency 119 and other community stakeholders to discourage investors paying their children chicken change for labor that is full of risks.
Workers of the King Production have also complained that there is no good working relationship between the management and the workers. This even makes it very difficult to interface with the management in relation to workers’ concerns.
Community Based Organizations, at Kissy and its environs, have also bashed at Kings Production for showing less concern to community development engagement any time they are approached.