GBARNGA, Bong County — A months-long independent investigation sponsored by the United Bong County Association in the Americas (UBCAA) has uncovered evidence that raises serious questions about the handling of the January 2026 chemical spill involving MNG Gold Liberia in Money Sweet Town, Bong County.
By Selma Lomax, selma.lomax@frontpageafricaonline.com
The investigation, commissioned after residents rejected official conclusions from the Liberia Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), found significant human, environmental, and socio-economic impacts that appear inconsistent with the EPA’s earlier assessment that the incident posed no significant health or environmental risks.
The independent probe was initiated after residents reported persistent health complications, environmental concerns, and livelihood disruptions following the release of hydrochloric acid from an MNG Gold vehicle traveling through the community.
Community members maintained that the EPA’s findings failed to accurately reflect the realities they experienced after the spill. In response to growing public concerns, UBCAA intervened and financed an independent assessment aimed at establishing a comprehensive and objective account of the incident.
The investigative team, led by award-winning Liberian journalist Moses Bailey and comprising experts from various professional backgrounds, conducted extensive fieldwork, scientific assessments, community interviews, and environmental evaluations.
Their findings revealed widespread exposure to chemical fumes, direct human contact with the hazardous substance, delayed emergency response measures, inadequate public warnings, increased health complaints among residents, disruptions to agricultural activities, psychological distress, and a significant decline in public confidence in both corporate and regulatory institutions.
Perhaps the most consequential aspect of the report is its challenge to the EPA’s conclusions. In its January 21, 2026 release, the EPA assured residents that the spill caused no harm to the community and confirmed that no water sources were contaminated, despite fears raised by some citizens. According to the EPA, trained chemical handlers, working along with MNG’s Safety and Environmental Department, quickly secured the area and neutralized the acid. Contaminated soil was removed under EPA supervision and transported for proper disposal.
Investigators determined that residents experienced symptoms and consequences that warranted greater regulatory scrutiny and a more comprehensive response than what was publicly communicated.
The report found substantial gaps in risk communication, emergency preparedness, and post-incident monitoring. Investigators further concluded that the available evidence did not support the perception among many residents that the situation had been fully addressed or adequately investigated by the responsible authorities.
The report also scrutinized the conduct of MNG Gold Liberia, accusing the company of failing to fully cooperate with investigators and alleging attempts to obstruct independent fact-finding efforts. Investigators documented what they described as actions that undermined transparency and accountability, including efforts that appeared designed to weaken community advocacy and representation during the aftermath of the disaster. These findings have intensified calls for stronger oversight of Liberia’s extractive industries and more robust protections for affected communities.
Presenting the report in Gbarnga Saturday, the investigative team emphasized that the purpose of the exercise was not to create conflict but to ensure that the voices and experiences of affected citizens were properly documented.
The findings have already sparked renewed debate over environmental governance, corporate accountability, and the responsibilities of regulatory agencies charged with protecting public health and safety.
Responding to the findings, UBCAA described the report as a critical milestone in the pursuit of truth, accountability, and justice for the residents of Money Sweet Town.
The organization stated that it commissioned the investigation because it believed the concerns of affected citizens deserved a thorough and independent review free from any perception of conflict or institutional influence. According to UBCAA, the report validates many of the concerns that residents had consistently raised since the day of the spill and demonstrates the importance of citizen-driven accountability mechanisms when public confidence in official processes begins to erode.
UBCAA further argued that the investigation exposed troubling weaknesses within Liberia’s environmental oversight framework, particularly regarding emergency response coordination, public communication, and post-disaster monitoring.
The organization noted that while the EPA concluded there were no significant risks, the independent findings documented numerous health complaints, social disruptions, and environmental concerns that warranted far greater attention.
UBCAA stressed that regulatory institutions must maintain public trust through transparency, rigorous scientific assessments, and meaningful engagement with affected communities rather than relying solely on technical conclusions that may not reflect lived experiences on the ground.
The association also pledged to use the report as a foundation for future engagement with the EPA, MNG Gold management, Bong County authorities, legislators, and community leaders. UBCAA called for fair compensation for affected residents, expanded medical monitoring, environmental remediation where necessary, and the development of stronger safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The organization maintained that the report should serve as a catalyst for reform and emphasized that environmental disasters should never be viewed merely as statistics but as events that profoundly impact families, livelihoods, and entire communities.
Speaking on behalf of the investigative team, Bailey said the findings reflected months of painstaking fieldwork and professional analysis conducted under challenging circumstances.
He explained that the team approached its assignment with a commitment to objectivity, scientific rigor, and factual accuracy. According to Bailey, investigators interviewed residents, consulted stakeholders, examined available documentation, and assessed environmental and health-related concerns with the sole objective of determining what actually occurred and how the spill affected the community.
Bailey noted that one of the most striking aspects of the investigation was the contrast between official assurances and the experiences reported by residents. He stated that the team encountered numerous accounts of health symptoms, anxiety, livelihood disruptions, and dissatisfaction with the emergency response process.
While acknowledging the EPA’s role as the nation’s primary environmental regulator, Bailey emphasized that the team’s evidence pointed to a more complex reality than what had been captured in official reports.
He stressed that independent investigations play a crucial role in strengthening democratic accountability and ensuring that public institutions remain responsive to citizen concerns.
The veteran Liberian journalist further praised the residents of Money Sweet Town for their cooperation and patience throughout the investigation.
He commended UBCAA for facilitating an initiative that allowed independent experts to examine the situation without external interference. Bailey said the report should not be interpreted as an attack on any institution but rather as an opportunity for reflection, improvement, and reform.
He expressed hope that policymakers, regulators, corporate actors, and community leaders would use the findings as a roadmap for building stronger environmental protection systems and ensuring that future incidents are handled with greater transparency, urgency, and public confidence.
