The Parliamentary Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs has commended Chapter One for its commitment to regulatory compliance, professionalism, employment creation and the promotion of Sierra Leone’s tourism and entertainment industry.
The commendation was made during an oversight visit to Chapter One in Freetown, led by the Committee’s Chairman, Honourable Tom Isaac Coker, to assess the establishment’s operations, compliance with government regulations and contribution to national development.
The visit also provided an opportunity for members of the Committee to identify challenges affecting the establishment and explore ways Parliament could support the growth of the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Speaking during the engagement, the Committee’s Deputy Chairman, Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara, said the visit was intended not only to assess compliance but also to understand Chapter One’s operations, services, contribution to employment and challenges as a private-sector investment.
Responding on behalf of management, Mr. Benjamin Macfoy said Chapter One had been operating in Freetown for more than a year, while another Chapter One facility in the Southern Region had been in operation for over five years.
He explained that Chapter One was more than an entertainment facility, noting that it employed more than 200 people and contributed to the economy through private-sector investment, job creation, hospitality and entertainment services.
During the visit, members of the Committee toured the establishment’s facilities, including the Ocean Terrace Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Premium VIP Nightclub and Cloud 9 VIP Lounge. The tour allowed the parliamentarians to assess the quality of the facilities, services and professional standards maintained by the establishment.
Chapter One’s General Manager, Frederico Silva, outlined the range of services offered, including dining, VIP hospitality, rooftop entertainment, music and entertainment, business and social networking, private celebrations, premium cocktails and beverages, barbecue, and corporate and private events.
He also explained the operating schedules of the various facilities, including the Ocean Terrace Restaurant, Premium VIP Nightclub and Cloud 9 VIP Lounge.
Following the tour, Honourable Coker commended the management for its commitment to regulatory compliance and professionalism.
He said the Committee had reviewed relevant documents submitted by the establishment, including tax and other compliance records, and expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance demonstrated by the management.
Honourable Coker described Chapter One as an establishment with the potential to contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s tourism industry by providing quality hospitality, entertainment and leisure services capable of attracting local and international visitors.
He encouraged the management to maintain its standards and assured it of the Committee’s willingness to provide support within its mandate.
Honourable Kamara also commended the establishment for the documentation presented; describing its tax and other compliance records as evidence of management’s commitment to meeting government requirements.
He expressed optimism about the establishment’s future growth and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to patronize businesses that create jobs and contribute to national development. He further noted that the documents presented indicated that Chapter One was owned by a Sierra Leonean.
Meanwhile, Honourable Mabinty Bangura praised the management and staff for their professionalism, describing Chapter One as a significant private-sector investment established in Freetown in 2025.
She noted that investments of such scale require time and sustained commitment to achieve their full potential, urging management to remain focused on maintaining quality and international standards.
Honourable Bangura particularly commended the staff for their professionalism, stressing that high standards of customer service are essential to attracting tourists, visitors and investors to Sierra Leone.
She assured the management that Parliament would continue to examine challenges confronting the establishment and explore possible policy and legislative interventions to support the growth of the tourism and entertainment sectors.
In response, Chapter One’s Human Resource Manager, Ms. Margaret, thanked the Committee for the visit, guidance and constructive engagement.
She said the management, led by Chief Executive Officer Fassally Tarawally, and the entire staff looked forward to continued cooperation with Parliament and other relevant authorities to promote the growth of Chapter One and the wider tourism and entertainment industry.
The engagement concluded with both the Committee and Chapter One’s management reaffirming their commitment to cooperation, regulatory compliance, professionalism, employment creation and the promotion of Sierra Leone as a destination for tourism, entertainment, business and investment.