By Saio Marrah
The parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday, 09th December 2021 approved the agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the Miro Forestry Sierra Leone Limited for tree planting and manufacturing of its produce in the country.
According to the minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, the company will be planting one to two million trees per year, and that the company will also be using the product to make a wide range of products that include electric poles, plywoods, and among others furniture.
He also added that it will also transform the country from exporting raw materials like timber into exporting processed timber and other furniture as it will have a factory that will be doing so.
He said it will be stationed at Mile 91, Tonkolili District, and that it has already started helping a couple of institutions in that part of the country to build on their capacity on the impact of ICT.
He added that they will not be recklessly harvesting timbers, but from what they will be growing.
The Member of Parliament, Aaron Aruna Koroma of constituency, 048, Mile 91-Tonkolili District, described the agreement as laudable. According to him, climate change is real as the country has over time started feeling its impact. He said tree planting is one of the ways of preventing global warming and the country has witnessed a series of its impacts.
He said in the western world, industries that produce emissions to the atmosphere pay money to companies that are planting trees, but according to him, the Miro forestry’s activity will not cost a dime to the country.
He added that five percent of its profits will go to the community where they are operating when the company starts harvesting the products.
He added that there will be 20 million dollars for the erection of four factories that will be producing plywood, timber, electric poles, and others.
According to the MP, 95 percent of the company’s export will be subjected to tax, but when it will be importing its equipment into the country, it will be duty-free.
He, therefore, called on the company to be using that incentive saving from the duty-free import to expand on the employment of Sierra Leoneans. He also called on them to conduct training opportunities for Sierra Leoneans and increase their cooperate social responsibilities.
Copyright © Politico Online 10/12/21
