By Ragan M. Conteh
On Thursday 1st October, 2020, Tandem Liber Holdings Sierra Leone Limited, a mining company intending to operate at Simiria Chiefdom, in the Tonkolili District, at the Mabonthor Town Community Center, undertook a public disclosure venture.
The PowerPoint presentation, on the Tandem Liber Holdings Sierra Leone Limited, Social and Health Impact Assessment Report to stakeholders and people of Simiria Chiefdom, was done by Samuel K. Kamara.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawyer Charles Abass Bangura, a representative of the Tandem Liber Holdings Sierra Leone Limited Company, informed the well-attended ceremony that he had visited the community in 2018, adding that the Company has been operating in Sierra Leone for over 12 years now.
According to Lawyer Bangura, the Company wants to recommence operations. He disclosed that youths are pivotal in the Company, because, in all the places they have operated, the youths have been the most paramount.
He said his Company is not one that comes and goes, “It is here to stay, benefit the people of Simiria Chiefdom and its environs, and observes their Corporate Social Responsibility.” He restored confidence that the community people will benefit largely from the local content policy of government, adding that, when the company commences operations, they will do certain things of community interest.
Lawyer Bangura appealed to stakeholders, especially youths, to desist from violence and ask for proper and adequate protection of the Company for it to deliver its mandate to ensure a win-win situation between the community and the Company.
He also reassured that negotiations will always become priority between the Company and stakeholders, adding that the former cannot now operate without a license.
“In fact, public disclosure is among the criteria to secure the license,” he stressed.
Mines Warding Officer, a representative from the National Mineral Agency (NMA), Mohamed Janneh, welcomed the community stakeholders and expressed hope that, when operations commence in earnest, they will do due diligence to the community people in their operational area.
Janneh assured members of the community that NMA will fervently monitor the activities of the Company. He however said NMA expects the Company to do something great for the community in which the operation takes place.
Youth Leader of Simira Chiefdom, Abdul Bangura, informed the Company that the chiefdom is the most blessed with a peaceful youthful population. He said all of them are now conscious and will positively work towards enhancing good collaboration.
The leader prayed for the God fearing Paramount Chief who will be working closely with the Company, asserting that any community that lacks a developmental and responsible leader will always remain backward.
According to the youth leader, they want a company that will uplift the lives of the youths, disclosing that youths want to live a lucrative life. He warned youths who will be fortunate to work in the Company to desist from doing illegal activities, especially stealing the property of the Company.
He reechoed the opening statement of the Company representative, and expressed happiness to receive its entourage, NMA, EPA and other stakeholders.
Chairlady of the Community, Mary Hallowell, said the Company is not new, because it has taken a long period operating in their community. She pointed out that women are very pivotal to work side by side with men. She appealed to the Company to prioritize and put more premium on women, especially young girls who are the engine in any community.
District Council Representative and District Environmental Officer, Albert Coker, on behalf of the Chief Administrator, welcomed the Company, adding that his Council believes in development. He urged the Company to work with the Council for the progress of the district as well as protecting the environment.
“But the Company needs to register with the Council,” he emphasised.
Councilor Mohamed Lamin Sankoh who spoke on the political will at the Council said, on behalf of the Chairperson, he welcomed the entourage to what he referred to as the richest Chiefdom. He said the Company should place their headquarters in the chiefdom, adding that the Council is appreciative of their proposed investment in the Tonkolili District.
He appealed for employment and cordial working relationship as well as observing the local content policy, especially for those within the local community, adding that the chiefdom is the least in terms of educational appeal.
Representative of the five Section Chiefs, Dauda Mansaray, welcomed the Company and assured their unflinching support to ensure it has a peaceful stay and cordial relationship with authorities in the community.
Mabonthor OC, ASP Abdul Kamara, informed that, since a Police Post was opened in the community, there has been no major incident. He also welcomed the Company to Mabonthor.
EPA-SL acting Regional Manager, north, Emmanuel During, said the mandate of the agency is to effectively protect the environment, adding that, apart from that mandate, the agency also has many functions, especially projects that fall under the EPA Act.
He said one of such projects is the mining project, adding that large scale mining should observe environmental social assessment and environmental management plan for small mining companies.
According to him, the EPA is now well satisfied with Company’s report, adding that, after the disclosure, they will present to their boss for finalization of the resumption of activities. He assured the people that the EPA will effectively monitor the operations of the company after every three months, and on yearly basis, to know whether the Company adheres to the EPA Act.