Mrs. Dugba has commended engineers and other staff working on the Black Johnson Fisheries Project for what she described as their “remarkable work,” while calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address outstanding concerns affecting the project.
She emphasised the need for effective communication and coordination between the project management team, the Ministry of Fisheries and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation.
“There should be no gap. The Ministry of Fisheries and other relevant players must know what you are doing and be fully represented to ensure seamless implementation of the project,” she told the project managers.
Mrs. Dugba also urged the project management to take its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations seriously by supporting the construction of essential community facilities for the benefit of residents.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Fisheries, Patrick Kawa, who chaired the ceremony, underscored the importance of the engagement, describing it as an opportunity to address critical issues affecting the project. He expressed hope that the project managers would give serious consideration to the concerns raised.
The Director of Fisheries, Sheku Sei, also stressed the need to address the issues highlighted, particularly those relating to stakeholder collaboration, staff remuneration, safety and other welfare concerns.
In response, representatives of the project’s engineering firm thanked the Minister and her delegation for the visit and assured them of their commitment to addressing the concerns raised in consultation with their headquarters.
They also outlined several Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives undertaken since the commencement of the project. These include the construction of boreholes to provide drinking water, the provision of learning materials to schools, assistance with medical bills for affected staff and the development of a safety manual.
However, they requested that the Ministry of Fisheries prepare and submit comprehensive correspondence detailing the issues raised during the engagement for the attention and necessary action of their headquarters.
In a separate engagement, the Minister informed stakeholders of the Black Johnson community about parcels of land allocated by the Government for the construction of a school, market, hospital, cemetery and police station.
She explained that the allocation fulfils a commitment made by President Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony to address some of the longstanding challenges facing the community.
The Minister assured residents of the Government’s continued commitment to creating an enabling environment during and after the construction of the project’s infrastructure, while appealing for their cooperation and support.
Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Ahmed Seibom Kanu, commended community members for their resilience, patience and understanding. He described the current administration as a responsible and development-oriented government committed to improving the welfare of citizens.
Representatives from the Office of the Attorney General and Civil Society, Isaac Yusif Sesay and William Saio Lamin, respectively, encouraged beneficiaries to regard the land allocation as a significant opportunity and a lasting legacy, urging them to support the successful implementation of the proposed developments.
The Headwoman of Black Johnson, Hawanatu Bah, expressed appreciation to the Government for fulfilling its promise and pledged the community’s continued support.
However, she appealed for the speedy implementation of the proposed community projects, particularly the hospital, and requested additional land for the construction of a school.
The Minister and her delegation later embarked on an inspection tour of the allocated sites, guided by a representative of the Ministry of Lands, Ibrahim Sengeh Yankuba.