By Saio Marrah
Parliament has ratified two mining agreements, a Large Scale Mining Agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and Marampa Mines Limited, and that between the government and Sierra Rutile Limited
The cancellation of license of the previous mining company, Sierramin Bauxite Limited, was as a result of its failure to adhere to its obligations in the mining community that include non- payment of the surface rent and the salaries of 394 of its workers at the Marampa and the Maforkie Chiefdoms in Port Loko District.
The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Musa Timothy Kabba, addressing the law makers in the house of parliament, on Thursday 16th of December 2021 said the content of the Large Scale Mining Agreement is favourable to both the investment company and the people of Sierra Leone as it creates many jobs. He said it is expected that the company will increase its productivity in the future which means an increase in the revenue to the government.
He said in lieu of all charges to be paid to government of Sierra Leone, the company offered to pay 20 million dollars, of which 10 million has been paid on the 31st October this year and a balance paid before the end of the year 2021.
Kabba described Sierra Rutile as being the oldest mining company in the country as it started operations in the 1950s. He noted that it was able to come from the ashes of war and recommence operations. The company today employs over three thousand Sierra Leoneans. The minister said the Sierra Rutile concession is a temporary agreement.
One of the host MPs for Sierra Rutile, Alice Jebbeh Kumabeh, of Constituency 092, Bonthe District, said the mining company is currently out of operation, and if the situation continues till January, it will finally shut down for good, leaving the over three thousand workers jobless.
She applauded the company for upholding it’s cooperate social responsibilities in the mining communities by giving scholarships to pupils from primary to tertiary level, but said that’s not enough. The MP called for a special training for the people and would want to see most of the indigenes being considered for employment, at senior management level.
Another MP from constituency 097, Moyamba District, Edward George, acknowledged the various developments Sierra Rutile has been carrying out in the community that include the school construction and good roads, he also called for increase in the management level for Sierra Leoneans.
He pointed out that the company has been marginalizing Sierra Leoneans by bring in foreigners and paying them huge amounts for jobs, Sierra Leoneans can do better.
He however called for the approval of the agreement so that those three thousand people will not be jobless.
Another MP, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, of constituency 034, Bombali, called for the ratification of the agreement and for the minister to do proper monitoring. He said even though the country is competing with other countries in the world for Rutile and other minerals, it has not benefitted much.
He also highlighted the critical role of the Paramount Chiefs in addressing mining activities in the interest of the people.
The leader of the main opposition APC, Chernor Maju Bah encouraged the minister to make sure when giving concession to mining companies, provisions is made for especially people in the community to benefit the most.
MP Emerson Saa Lamina and others made similar contributions, highlighting the huge benefits the country and especially the community people will gain from the agreement.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 17/12/21
