Charles Gonpue claims three years of neglect in Youth Camp Community while company consultant brands allegations false, sparks war of words
BY: JOHN KAMARA TAYLOR
The Town Chief of Youth Camp Community has aggressively slammed East International Mining Company for what he describes as years of abandonment in the community and its neighboring areas accusations the company has swiftly dismissed as false and misleading.
Mr. Charles Gonpue, Town Chief of Youth Camp Community within the Bentol city limits, complained that the mining company, which has operated in the area for three years and beyond, has yet to live up to its social corporate responsibilities toward communities affected by its aggressive mining operations.
Speaking to West African Pilot’s Senior Producer, John Kamara Taylor, and a reporter from Choice TV, Gonpue disclosed that the Chinese-owned company has deliberately refused to respond to what he termed its social corporate responsibility obligations.
When asked about his engagement with the company, Gonpue told reporters he has made several attempts to reach out all without success.
“Because of the company’s present operation in the area, today we face serious issues with safe drinking water facilities as the result of intensive high use of mining chemicals that has polluted every aspect of our soils, even affecting farmers in the area.”
The Town Chief outlined several other challenges confronting the community, ranging from deplorable road conditions to the lack of safe drinking water facilities and a clinic, among others. He attributed the crumbling roads to the company’s heavy earth-moving equipment and heavy-duty trucks, which he said are causing severe damage without the firm restructuring the roads something he views as irresponsible on the company’s part.
Gonpue urged both the offices of the City Mayor and the Superintendent to ensure that East International Mining Company addresses the needs of the affected communities.
Company’s Side of the Story
In a bid to balance the report, our Senior Producer, John Kamara Taylor, engaged the East International Mining Company. He contacted a Mr. William, noted as a Black manager for the company, who directed him to Mr. Joseph Tumbey. Tumbey later called the Senior Producer on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to address the allegations.
Introducing himself as the Communication Consultant for East International Mining Company, Tumbey clearly told our Senior Producer that the information gathered from the Town Chief was false and misleading.
He insisted the company has had no problems with the community but has instead maintained a perfectly cordial working relationship with citizens, adding that whatever information has been gathered is not factual. Tumbey further declared that if the Senior Producer goes ahead with the story, he would be “creating more problems than solving problems.”
“If you go about with the story, you should go ahead, but we will write everything to beat you and bring you to the grievance committee along with the community people.”
Tumbey also connected our Senior Producer to a person he referred to as the lead advocacy person of the area, who reportedly argued extensively with him. He insisted that East International has been identifying with the community and that there has been no dissatisfaction coming from the community toward the company.
Notably, Tumbey disclosed that the company has contributed a funding of five thousand United States dollars to help strengthen and uplift the only public school in the area, and is waiting to release additional support once the initial funds take effect.
Story Still Developing
As the story unfolds, West African Pilot remains committed to carrying out further investigation into this matter.