Koidu Holdings cries foul
Mining giant, Koidu Holdings Limited has bemoaned the bias and unprofessional reporting as published in various local tabloids regarding baseless claims made by the Kono Students Union at the recently held public disclosure meeting held at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown on 15th March this year.
Speaking to journalists at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) conference hall yesterday 23rd March 2011, the Chief Communications Officer, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara (in photo) pointed out that some sections of the media ganged up with the Network Movement for Justice Development (NMJD) and the Association for Journalists for Mining Extractives (AJME) to deliberately tarnish the hard won reputation of his company without daring to cross-check with the mining company.
He maintained that some media houses in particular are hell bent in sabotaging their mining operations.
He went on to say that at some point, there was a problem between PC Paul N. Saquee of Tankoro Chiefdom and some youth but NMJD said the problem was between Koidu Holding and the youths so that they can taint the image of the company.
However, Mr. Ibrahim S. Kamara said his company has held a series of meetings with stakeholders including paramount chiefs, other local authorities and affected people to extend their mining lease areas from 250 to 500 meter in the interest of public safety.
Since 2008 to date, he went on they have been doing tremendous progress to re-settle the affected people, adding that the company paid compensation packages to crop owners worth Le2 billion.
The Chairman of KONSU, Emmanuel Jimissa criticized in very strong terms the company’s resettlement programme, claiming that the houses which were built by the company for the affected people were of sub-standard.
The Chief Communication Officer took exception to the KONSU’s Chairman’s comment and urged him to discuss the issues highlighted on television, noting that the company has done more than what they ever agreed on.
By Foday Marrah
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