By: Problyn J. Alpha
Owing to misinformation making the rounds in Kono District by certain individuals about the operations of the Seawright Mining Company operating in Gbense Chiefdom Kono District, a day on the spot visit to the said mining site by the newly recruited community and corporate affairs manager Seawright Mining Company, Alie Lamin including journalists from different media houses in Kono District has ended on Monday 16th January 2023.
The said visit was for the journalists to have firsthand information about the operations of the mining company including its plans so that the resident will fully understand the activities of the company.
Addressing journalists present at the Seawright Mining Company site in Gbense Chiefdom Kono District, Mr. Lamin maintain that the spot visit was for the journalists to see for themselves the operations of the mining company to correct the negative, baseless misinformation broadcast on air by certain individuals that the operations of the mining company were ongoing in the township of Masondu at Moindifeh section in Gbense Chiefdom Kono District thereby causing sleepless night for the people and that the employment facility is only benefiting strangers and not natives.
The community and corporate affairs manager intimated that the principal responsibility of his company is to seek the interest of the host community people in all its interventions and gestures with special reference to the local content policy. He said the company also employs other qualified Sierra Leoneans living outside the district when it has to do with technicality or professionalism.
“As a responsible company most of our decisions for employment are done in consultation with the stakeholders of the host chiefdom for the interest of youth and women groups,” Alie Lamin opined.
He further appealed to the host community people to provide an enabling working environment for the operations of the company. He, therefore, pledged the company’s commitment to follow all the due process of the mining policies in the country. Alie Lamin promised to continue with the media engagement to cement the working relationship between his company and the host community people.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Masondu Town Chief Ballah Mansaray and Bockarie Turay welcomed the visiting team and Seawright Mining Company in their community but expressed dismay over the way and manner workers are employed as they as community people are never considered. They maintained that their community lacks pure drinking water and well-structured dwelling houses among many others. They concluded by pledging their unflinching support for the smooth operations of the company on behalf of their people.