Mines Ministry, AML in development drive
In accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, especially Section 34A which states that mining companies operating on large scale should pay surface rent to land owners and the community, the Ministry of Mineral Resources has taken a giant step to ensure that the African Minerals Limited fulfill its obligation. The Mines Minister, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray over the weekend led a team from the Ministry to see that all goes well in the surface rent payment in the African Minerals operation areas in Tonkolili, Bombali and Port Loko Districts.
Addressing a well attended meetings in three Districts on Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, said the payment of surface rent is the right of the people. He added that as a responsible government they always want to give the people what is due them in accordance with the law. Before now, he said surface rent payment was not visible, and added that if at all it was done, the past regime had not been following the right process.
Speaking on the content of the Mines and Minerals Act under the subtitle, Distribution of Surface Rent, the Minister informed the gathering that the distribution should be done as follows: Land Owners 50%, District Council 15%, Paramount Chiefs 15%, Constituency Development Fund 10%, and Chiefdom Administration 10%.
Honourable Mansaray said the payment will be done annually and it will increase when business is good. The cheques were handed over to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ambassador Dauda Sulaiman Kamara for onward handing over to the respective Paramount Chiefs.
A total of twelve Chiefdoms benefited from payment for the company’s mining operation and rail. They include: Kalansogoia Chiefdom (mine) – Le96, 327, 000 (ninety six million, three hundred and twenty seven thousand Leones); Samaia Bendugu Chiefdom (mine) – Le197, 475, 600 (one hundred and ninety-seven million, four hundred and seventy-five thousand, six hundred Leones),; Diang Chiefdom (mine) Le42, 806, 400 (forty-two million, eight hundred and six thousand, four hundred Leones); Kalansogoia Chiefdom (mine) Le74, 270, 000 (seventy-four million, two hundred and seventy thousand Leones); Kafe Simiria Chiefdom (mine) Le74, 270, 000 (seventy-four million, two hundred and seventy thousand Leones); Samaia Bendugu Chiefdom (mine) Le74, 270, 000 (seventy-four million, two hundred and seventy thousand Leones); Maforki Chiefdom (rail) Le44, 339, 400 (forty-four million, three hundred and thirty-nine thousand, four hundred Leones); Buya Romende Chiefdom (rail) Le27, 820, 800 (twenty-seven million, eight hundred and twenty thousand, eight hundred Leones), Makari Gbanti (rail) Chiefdom 36, 128, 400 (thirty-six million, one hundred and twenty eight thousand, four hundred Leones); Safroko Limba Chiefdom (rail) Le20, 479, 200 (twenty million, four hundred and seventy-nine thousand, two hundred Leones); Kafe Simiria Chiefdom (rail) Le12, 000, 000 (twelve million Leones); Kalansogoia Chiefdom (rail) Le27, 241, 000 (twenty-seven million, two hundred and fourty one thousand Leones); Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom (rail and port) Le180, 000, 000 (one hundred and eighty million Leones); Lokomassama Chiefdom (rail and port) Le180, 000, 000 (one hundred and eighty million Leones); and Marampa Chiefdom Le12, 000, 000 (twelve million Leones).
The Chairman of Tonkolili District Council, Abdul R. Koroma thanked the Ministry of Mines for taking the bold step in ensuring that things are done well in the mines sector.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah said the process is [art of government’s Agenda for Change and zero tolerance on corruption. He said this is the beginning of many more transparent processes to come. He urged the authorities concern to ensure that the monies reach the rightful owners.
The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ambassador Dauda Sulaiman Kamara said the successful meetings shows that there is a good relationship between African Mineral and the people on one side, and between the government and the people on the other front. “Please use these monies very judiciously,” he urged the recipients. See more details next edition.
The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray has promised that his Ministry will ensure that mining companies operating on a large scale extend support to the communities they are operating. Speaking at the Port Loko District Council Hall on Monday during the payment of surface rent for the passage of the African Minerals rail in Port Loko District, the Minister disclosed that they are currently facilitating a scholarship package for some seven hundred students in Port Loko District that will be provided by African Minerals. Hon. Mansaray said they have so far sent forms to the members of parliament to undertake a wider consultation and identify the beneficiaries. The Ministry of Mines, he said will follow the due process to see that the right people are targeted.
The Port Loko District Council Chairman, Hamid Sesay said they are happy to be providing a breadbasket of development activities from mining activities to the entire country. He informed the gathering that their relationship with mining companies is very cordial.
Special Adviser to the President, Alhaji Kemoh Sesay stated that not every individual will benefit from the surface rent payment, and added that only those that are directly affected in areas where the rail passes that will receive their packages. He cautioned his people that the Constituency Development fund is not for personal use for members of parliament, but rather it should be used for development activities. He prayed that more support will come for the people and the entire district.
While in Makeni the Mayor of Makeni City Council, Moses Sesay commended the Ministry of Mines and Mineral resources for demonstrating transparency and accountability in ensuring that what is due the people of Sierra Leone is given. Mayor Sesay reiterated the fact that Makeni is the fastest growing city in the country in terms of development, and added that they are always with open hands to embrace development activities. “I am willing enough to implement the President’s Agenda for Change,” he said, and further commend the Ministry and African Minerals for the surface rent payment. This, Mayor Sesay said will go a long way in developing the people and the City of Makeni.
The Resident Minister North, Alie Kamara confessed that this is the first time in history he is seeing the payment of surface rent been done transparently. “This will go a long way in national development,” he said, and assured that the money will reach the right people according to their percentages as stated in the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hadiru Kalokoh informed the gathering that he is impressed with the content of the Act because before now such payment brings great confusion. The arrangement, he said is perfect and promised that his Ministry will ensure that it is replicated in other areas so that everlasting peace will continue to prevail in the communities. The Deputy Minister pointed out the fact that the monies meant for community development should not end in an individual’s pocket. He suggested that the money should be placed in the chiefdom account before it is distributed and not in one man’s pocket.
By Fadda Bakish
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