By: James Kamara-Manneh
President Julius Maada Bio has on the 24th May, 2022 officially launched five billion Leones Community Development Agreement (CDA) at the Ferengbeya Chiefdom, Portloko district, North-East. This is as a result of paying back to the community people for the ongoing mining project by Leone Rock Mining Company in the said district.
President Bio described the launch as a bold step in supporting communities where mining is taking place, and that such is in line with his political version of formalizing and regularizing how mining communities can substantially benefit from mining activities in their areas.
He noted that gone are those days were foreign companies will exploit the locals and will benefit nothing from their land, but his administration has vouched to change the narrative.
President Bio adds that his administration has provided a conducive and an enabling environment for the investment climate in the mining sector, and that not only the security on mining investment but it has been fully supported under the SLPP regime, with a transparent and regulating regime.
He said with the Covid-19 pandemic difficulties worldwide, Leone Rock took up the challenge to invest in Sierra Leone.
He maintained that the company shares similar version of his government in maintaining a sustainable economy; and pointed out that with such bold investment the mining future of Sierra Leone is bright.
“We are a people centered government and whatever is good for the people my government is ready to advocate for them”, the president said.
He stated that the government is advocating for 0.01% for the mining communities, and Kingho are doing excellent towards this even before enacting the Bill in Parliament, and called on the mining company to pay substantially more to the community people, and to add more value service to get more people.
He elucidated that the government is on the verge of passing into law the CDA Fund from 0.0% to 0.01% for mining communities and to make it more responsive to the people.
In his welcome address to the President and to all, P.C ABY Koroma III of Dansogoia Chiefdom applauded the President for the initiative of compensating land owners through the mining company.
He added that under the watchful leadership of the President land owners are now receiving huge sum of money that is commensurate to their loss.
P.C Koroma III used the opportunity to table surmountable issues affecting his chiefdom and amongst the lost, he measured about gender disparity and that women of their community are not given more opportunities to work at the mining sector.
He further added that that the district hospital needs to be upgrade to minimize the health problems.
P.C Koroma also said the predecessor Shangdong mining company withheld their surface rent and ever the Kingho Company is refusing to comply. He said the labor laws are not working effectively in the company and that workers are tight lips to their difficulties and if they do they will be laid off from their job.
He also mentioned about the relocation of land owners couple with poor housing facilities was another serious concern.
In his angry mood, PC Koroma said the Chinese are threating the locals with impunity and contempt, but called on National Mining Agency to apply the law and take up these issues. He said the district is desperate for developments and doesn’t want to be a resemblance of Kono district. He further heaps praises on the president and expresses expectations that all issues to be handled soonest.
The Resident Minister, North-West, Abu-Abu Koroma in response said the president realizes the suffering of the people in the mining area, and that the government is committed in alleviating their suffering.
He explained that in so doing the government have requested that all mining companies should present their mining documents including community development plans for every mining site which will be very vital to the government and its people.
Honorable Member of Parliament representing the landowners and women in the PHC, Hon. Rosemarie Bangura said the president is on a serious move to develop the mining sites and to launch all three mining sites in Tonkolili district.
She highlighted that the people are beginning to realizing the developmental projects within the community and women are mostly benefiting.
She mentioned also that the said money owned by Shandong mining company needs to be paid to the rightful owners and expressed optimism.
Hon. Bangura said the Dam at Mangbontor Chiefdom will bring further development to Bumbuna and its environs, and further mentioned about the poor road infrastructure from Magburaka to Senbenyah chiefdom.
Whereas, the Chief Executive Officer, Leone Rock Metal Group, Gilbert Xhao described the launch as a great honour for him not only to be part of this historic moment, but also as a fulfilment of his heart desire to give to the people what they truly deserve.
He said Leone Rock Mining is a “TALK LESS AND DO MORE” company and that the company has stumbled few times and have even fallen but maintained that they have always risen up stronger, better, and bigger each time.
“So, I do not want you to judge us by the few times we fall down due to factors beyond our control but judge us by the many times we rise up again and again,” CEO said.
He said many had doubts when they decided to invest in the mining sector but with many setbacks the company has performed very well in overcoming various challenges.
“We are not here for today or tomorrow, but we want to stay here, grow here and together build our company alongside our communities and contribute to make Sierra Leone better and a nation of industrialisation for the next generation to see how resilience and handwork pays. We will do it,” he said.
While the President of China Kingho Energy Group, Colin Ding said this moment is important in two folds, firstly, we are the company in the history of mining in the Northern Province to pay 1% in annual revenue to our communities even before it becomes a law. Secondly, it is the first company to make a CDA payment to the Tonkolili Iron Ore Mining Communities which is already accessible because the money is already in their account.
He affirmed that the company is making a symbolic payment of 5,392,472,315 (Five billion, three hundred and ninety-two million, four hundred and seventy-two thousand and three hundred and fifteen Leones) as our CDA for the privilege to mine your God given natural resource which is the largest amount of money paid to this mining community in one year.
After many speakers, the symbolic Launch of the CDA fund cheaque was presented to the community people and the vote of thanks was done by the community affairs coordinator, and a tour to the mining site was conducted.
