By: Lemuella Tarawallie
On Saturday, 23rd August 2025, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence, led by Chairman Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers and his Deputy Chair, Hon. Retired Captain along with other committee members, conducted an oversight visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Cashew Farm Project located in Port Loko, North-West Sierra Leone.
The 500-acre cashew intercropping initiative is being implemented under the visionary leadership of the new Chief of Defence Staff, General Adara Bangura. The project reflects a renewed commitment to improving the welfare of military personnel through sustainable agricultural ventures aimed at enhancing food security and promoting agricultural self-sufficiency within the armed forces.
During the visit, Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers emphasized that the Defence Committee, while primarily responsible for legislation and representation in Parliament, also has a constitutional oversight mandate. He reiterated that the welfare of military personnel remains a key concern for the Committee.
The officer overseeing operations at the Port Loko cashew site, Private Mansaray, briefed the Committee on several ongoing challenges, chief among them being the lack of access to safe drinking water at the site.
In response, Committee Member Hon. Sulaiman Marrah Conteh proposed the construction of a borehole as a sustainable solution to the water supply issue, highlighting its importance for the smooth and uninterrupted progress of the farming project.
As part of their broader oversight responsibilities, the Committee also paid visits to the 4th Infantry Brigade personnel at Tekoh Barracks in Makeni, the 5th Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Gondama Barracks in Bo District (Southern Province), and the 2nd Infantry Brigade in Kenema District (Eastern Province).
The oversight visit is seen as part of an ongoing effort by Parliament to support and monitor strategic projects within the armed forces that align with national development goals and military welfare improvements.