DARU, Kailahun District | 15th July 2025 — A serious road accident on Monday evening has left the Gold Tree Company and the people of Daru grappling with fresh uncertainty, after two of the company’s fully-loaded oil tankers overturned near the infamous Moyawa Bridge.
The incident occurred on July 14th, 2025, as the tankers attempted to cross a muddy and unstable bypass constructed to facilitate movement during ongoing repairs on the Moyawa Bridge. The temporary route, which links Daru town to Gold Tree’s production site, has become a lifeline for both the company and the local community — but also a known hazard.
Eyewitnesses say the heavy tankers struggled to maintain balance on the uneven path before both eventually capsized. One tanker ruptured upon impact, spilling significant quantities of palm oil — a loss estimated in the millions of leones.
“This is a serious setback,” said Moinina Fatorma, Youth Chairman of Jawie Chiefdom and a staff member at Gold Tree. “The livelihoods of so many young people and families depend on this company. Incidents like this don’t just hurt the business; they hurt the entire community.”
Gold Tree Company Ltd., a leading employer in Kailahun District’s agricultural sector, provides jobs to hundreds in Daru and neighbouring areas. The company’s presence has been key in sustaining local livelihoods, funding education, and supporting families.
With operations likely to face delays and financial strain following this accident, residents are increasingly anxious about the wider impact.
Efforts to repair the dilapidated Moyawa Bridge had recently begun under the Kailahun District Council — a move that was widely welcomed. However, Monday’s incident has reignited concerns about the dangers posed by makeshift infrastructure in the interim.
Gold Tree officials have yet to make a formal statement, but sources close to the company indicate that urgent assessments are underway to calculate the losses and strengthen safety protocols moving forward.
For the people of Daru, the fear now is that this setback may lead to wider economic consequences, deepening the uncertainty already surrounding the future of jobs and stability in the community.
