By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The accountability campaign group, Transparency International (TI), has concluded a one day dialogue with mining communities in Kenema District. The engagement sought to inform community people about the rights and responsibilities of mining companies and the importance of transparency in their relationship with these companies.
TI’s Programme Manager, Edward Bankoloh Koroma, said the engagement was part of a project seeking a “sustainable mining deal that has direct impact on the lives of people.”
Koroma added: “Transparency International will look at the operations of the mining companies [and] award of licenses to companies. The engagement will enhance the full participation of the communities to share their experiences. Companies are required to tell the people the activities they could undertake that will be sustainable and improve the lives of the people”.
The project is expected to last for three years.
A Senior Mines Monitoring Officer at the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Alfred Momodu Koroma, said it was the responsibility of mining companies to engage with the communities about their activities. He said the NMA had promoted transparency in the mining sector by publishing the steps companies had to go through to get a license.
“Mining companies are required to tell the people about the activities they could undertake that would be sustainable and improve the lives of the people where they are operating,” he said.
Momodou Koroma added: “companies should respect the dignity of the people and abide by the customs of the people.”
Most mining communities in the country are seriously deprived of social amenities despite the huge mining revenue that comes from there. Transparency International said they hoped this project would create a platform for community stakeholders and mining companies to interface and understand their plans and processes.
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