Koidu Holdings hooked on resettlement package
The proposed expansion of the Koidu Holdings Limited blast safety envelope from 250m to 500m as recommended by the Jenkins Johnston Commission of Inquiry White Paper is gaining momentum, however, the affected properly Owners Association’s Sahr D. Komba noted that the resettlement project is going at a snail’s pace.
He said after realizing some misconceptions on the part of some of their members, they wasted no time to do an assessment in 2010 and came out with a conclusion that the relocated houses should be constructed as they were. Mr. Komba admonishes the company to speed up the resettlement package so that the affected property owners will be in a better position to upkeep themselves and their families. The interim Vice Chairman concluded by denouncing violence amongst affected properly owners. “Let us refrain from violence and learn to dialogue so that more development packages will be provided by Koidu Holdings,” he said.
While taking journalists on a tour of the resettlement community, the Public Relations Officer of Koidu Holdings, Ibrahim Sorie Kamara revealed that they have been trying to build a very cordial relationship with the people. He added that the company has so far constructed 155 houses and some 283 are to be completed in the coming months.
When asked as to why the resettlement project is going at a snail pace, Mr. Kamara revealed that they have been constructing 12 houses per month, but come June 2011, it will be increased to 30 houses per month, and by January 2012 it will be doubled to 60 houses per month. This he said will be of more benefit to the people because there will be more employment to speed up construction. ”We want to make the people happy at all times and embrace their brothers and sisters in Koidu Holdings,” he said. The company has provided a safe drinking water facility supplied from a bore hole to a water reservoir, good graded roads, a market, a black smith center, standard houses with good toilets, and very soon street lights will be erected.
The company, the PRO states, has already demarcated the sale for the construction of a school, hospital, and other recreation facilities. ‘This project will be successful if the people are ready to cooperate with us,” he said. Paramount Chief Paul N. Saquee of Tankoro chiefdom revealed that seventy percent of the people in the surface lease area don’t want to be there. He praised the agreement between government and Koidu Holdings for putting aside a certain amount that goes for community development and Koidu Holdings for providing an annual support of Le 100m to Diamond Stars and also the provision of football kits which is laudable.
Civil Society Campaigner, Charles Mambu said Koidu Holdings owe an obligation to the government and the affected people. “If you want peace to prevail, your priority as a mining company should be the affected people.” He assured Civil Society’s support to Koidu Holdings in their development drive.
The Chairperson of Kono District Council, Madam Diana Konomani responded that the company has always assured that if they are given a peaceful atmosphere to operate, their priority will be the affected property owners. She admonished her people to give opportunities to those that have development packages for them.
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