By Alvin Kef (Ranger)
Residents of Congo and Pawpaw Village in Hastings convened a Press Conference on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Hastings Community Field to voice their grievances over ongoing intimidation allegedly orchestrated by the Ministry of Lands, certain military officers and their two Members of Parliament, Hon. Beatrice Iyamide Langley and Hon. John Sartty Kargbo.
The villagers, led by community elder Mr. Turay, expressed deep frustration over a decade-long battle to retain ownership of their ancestral lands. While they acknowledged the strides made under the leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, they decried what they see as unjust actions by the Ministry of Lands.
According to Mr. Turay, the dispute has persisted for over 20 years, during which the communities have sought justice through multiple legal channels. He recounted how the matter initially reached Magistrate Hanna Bonnie, who ruled in favor of the Congo and Pawpaw communities after seven months of court proceedings. However, the dispute escalated when military personnel and other parties appealed the ruling at the High Court under Justice George Benneh. After over a year of deliberation, the High Court again ruled in favor of the communities.
Despite these legal victories, Mr. Turay lamented that some military personnel have disregarded the court rulings. He alleged that the military has continued its encroachments, even resorting to intimidation and violence. One incident involved an elderly woman, Madam Davis, who was reportedly assaulted by military officers, prompting the matter to be raised in Parliament.
Mr. Turay detailed how the issue was brought before the fifth Parliament, where the Committees on Lands and Defense, chaired by Sahr E. Juana and Quintin Salia-Konneh respectively, conducted thorough investigations. Community members provided documents and evidence, including proof of their village’s existence since 1819, historical buildings, plantations and graves over a century old.
After verifying the evidence, Parliament recommended that the military seek an amicable resolution with the villagers. Despite Parliament granting the military a two-week window to negotiate, Mr. Turay said no such discussions took place. The fifth Parliament ultimately issued findings and recommendations, which were to be reviewed in a meeting chaired by the Speaker of Parliament.
Under the current sixth Parliament, chaired by Hon. Rogers for the Defense Committee and Hon. Quintin Salia-Konneh for the Lands Committee, an implementation letter was issued, affirming the findings of the fifth Parliament. Mr. Turay stated that the community remains patient and law-abiding, awaiting the final resolution of the matter.
“We are not taking the law into our own hands,” Mr. Turay emphasized. “We trust in the process and hope that the authorities will uphold justice and respect our ancestral rights.”
The community’s decision to hold the Press Conference was fueled by a desire to draw President Bio’s attention to their plight. “We called the media to make our voices heard and to ensure His Excellency is aware of what we are enduring,” said Mr. Turay.
As the Congo and Pawpaw communities await action from the authorities, they remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail, safeguarding their heritage and ancestral lands.
