As the Commission of Enquiry commences on Monday 20th May, 2019, the Director General of the National Minerals Agency, Mr. Julius Matia, and Ahmed Gento Kamara have testified at both the Justice Biobele and William Annan Commissions of Inquiry to throw light on the management of the country’s Minerals Resources and the King Jimmy Road Project respectively.
The NMA DG told the Commission that he was appointed to the position on February, 2019 after he left the Commission in 2013 as Geo-Data information Manager.
Mr. Mattia disclosed that he was secretary to the NMA Board and was also responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the National Minerals Agency, amongst many other functions.
He further revealed to the Commission that there was in existence a Minerals Advisory Board, which, had among other functions, advises the Minister of Mines on issues related to exploration, recognizance and mining licenses allocation. The NMA DG also dilated on the composition and structure of the NMA.
According to him, the NMA has got no direct relationship with the NMA. He cited governance challenges with regards the structure and operations of the NMA since its establishment in 2013.
Peter Bangura, Director of Mines at the Ministry of Mines, was also recalled by the Commission to testify after having testified as CW 3 before the Easter break.
In another development, Ahmed Gento Kamara has also testified during cross examination before Justice William Annan Atugbah relating to the King Jimmy project.
Defense counsel Lawyer Mohamed Kanu has grilled the witness on his knowledge of other contractors during the bidding process. The witness vehemently objected to having knowledge on this, on the grounds that he does not have evidence to prove this, even though he had initially accepted in his statement to the Commission that he was told that other contractors have bided for the project.
The state has noted, while making their case, that the King Jimmy project was not exposed to other bidders.
The Commission of Enquiry is investigating and enquiring into what happened with the management of Government resources between November,2007 and April, 2018. Presidents, Vice Presidents, Government Ministers and other Government officials are appearing before the three Commissions represented by renowned lawyers.
Hearings were adjourned to Wednesday 22nd May 2019.