Rubber processing machine worker at Liberia Agriculture Company in Bassa – FrontPageAfrica
Bernice J. Hicks
2 min read
Grand Bassa – An employee of the Liberia Agriculture Company (LAC) in Grand Bassa County, Emmanuel Joe, was chopped by the rubber processing machine when it was reportedly turned while cleaning it.
By Elton W. Tiah, contributor
The incident happened on Saturday, August 21, at the company’s rubber processing plant in the Wee Statutory District, Grand Bassa County.
The company is located several kilometers from Buchanan, the county capital.
Eyewitnesses said FrontPageAfrica that the late Emmanuel Joe had been ordered to clean the rubber processing machine, at which time the electrical circuit breaker sending current to the machine was turned off.
It was chopped up by the machine after another company employee turned on the circuit breaker. He was recognized by a piece of his hand recovered from the ground. It was apparently the only part of his body that was left.
Aged 44 and father of five, he had worked for LAC for 10 years, FrontPageAfrica collected.
LAC management is discreet about the incident and has attempted to deny journalists entry to its premises for observation and interviews.
Naomi Joe-Mitchell, sister of the deceased, alleged the company was responsible for her brother’s gruesome death. She thinks it was orchestrated.
According to her, LAC has video surveillance that operates all day and in all parts of its premises. She alleged that since the “mysterious death” of her brother, the company said CCTV cameras were off at the time of the incident.
“How is LAC going to tell us their cameras were off and doesn’t know who turned on the machine?” They killed my brother but we won’t leave him like that ”, she said. FrontPageAfrica with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Karter Joe, head of the bereaved family, said that since the incident the rubber company has shown no sympathy to the family and it took the intervention of Representative Vincent Willie who provided food to the family members and supporters who gathered to cry.
He said: “As soon as the company noticed that the lawmaker was about to send food to support the family, they quickly sent US $ 300.00 with five 25 kg bags of rice. .
He called on the government to open an early investigation into the case so that justice can prevail.
Meanwhile, Representatives Clarence Massaquoi, president of concessions in the House of Representatives and Vincent Willie, who is the direct district chief, visited the family to express their condolences.
According to them, they will work as a team to ensure that justice prevails for the late Emmanuel Joe.
“Today we have come to sympathize with the family with the little we have now as we investigate the matter,” said Representative Massaquoi.
He further said, “I want us to always have good communication, because with better communication we can all find the best ways forward.”
Representative Willie told reporters he will not rest to ensure justice is served to all those to whom evil has befallen in the district.
